A 34-year-old woman has been placed under administrative detention in Shanghai for sneaking her pet sugar glider onto a commercial flight, leading to significant delays and raising concerns over airline security protocols.
The incident occurred on Monday when the woman, identified by her surname Guo, boarded Jinan-bound flight MU5599 at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport. The sugar glider escaped from Guo's possession onboard, prompting airline staff to initiate a search for the small marsupial.
Passengers were reportedly asked to disembark and wait while cabin crew and security personnel searched for the missing pet. Videos circulating online showed passengers expressing frustration at the check-in counter and individuals searching under seats within the aircraft.
Shanghai police confirmed the incident on their official Weibo account on Tuesday, stating that Guo has been detained for "disturbing the order of the public transport system."
The unexpected presence of the sugar glider—a nocturnal gliding possum native to Australia and New Guinea—raised safety concerns. Small animals like sugar gliders could potentially cause damage by chewing on wires or interfering with aircraft components, posing risks to flight safety.
Chinese airlines, including Air China, China Southern Airlines, and China Eastern Airlines, generally prohibit pets in the passenger cabin, with exceptions made only for service animals such as guide dogs. According to China Southern Airlines' regulations, animals that cannot be transported include very small animals like mice or ornamental fish, as well as animals that may pose risks to transportation.
For pets allowed as checked baggage, passengers must obtain prior approval from the airline and present valid animal quarantine certificates. The process requires advance notice—at least 24 hours before domestic flights and 48 hours before international flights.
The incident has sparked discussions about airport security measures. Some Chinese media have questioned how the pet passed through security checks undetected. Reports suggest that standard security detectors focus on metal objects, and if no alarms are triggered, manual inspections may not always be conducted thoroughly.
This event underscores the importance of adhering to airline regulations and security protocols to ensure the safety of all passengers. Authorities are likely to review security procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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Woman arrested for sneaking pet sugar glider on flight in Shanghai
cgtn.com
