A routine flight in Japan was cancelled after a mechanic discovered an unexpected passenger — a 40-centimetre snake hiding beneath the carpet of an aircraft at Fukuoka Airport.

The unusual incident occurred on Monday, October 19, as the plane was being prepared for departure. The discovery prompted Japan Air Commuter, an airline affiliated with Japan Airlines, to suspend the scheduled journey to Kagoshima Prefecture.

According to Kyodo News, the reptile was identified as non-venomous, meaning it was not considered dangerous because of its venom. However, its presence inside the aircraft raised concerns that had to be addressed before the plane could safely return to service.

The airline said the snake was first spotted at approximately 1pm local time by a mechanic inspecting the aircraft. Despite the discovery, it took a wildlife control specialist roughly 24 hours to capture the animal.

Investigators have yet to establish precisely how the snake entered the aircraft. The airline suspects it may have come from the surrounding wild environment but said the circumstances were still being examined.

The aircraft had arrived from Izumo Airport in Shimane Prefecture on October 19 and was scheduled to depart Fukuoka for Kagoshima at 12:50pm. The flight was subsequently cancelled following the discovery.

Japan Air Commuter described the incident as unprecedented in its experience, stating that it was unaware of any previous case involving a snake entering an aircraft cabin. The company also apologised to passengers affected by the cancellation.

Although the incident ended without any reported snakebite or injury, it highlights the unexpected challenges airlines can face when dealing with wildlife around aircraft and airport facilities.

Similar incidents have occurred elsewhere. In 2019, a passenger travelling from Florida to Hawaii unknowingly carried a non-venomous black racer snake in his bag. The man discovered the reptile only after it emerged from his rucksack at his holiday accommodation in Maui.

In another case in 2022, an AirAsia flight was forced to change its route after a snake was spotted moving along a lighting panel inside the passenger cabin. A video of the reptile circulated on social media, drawing attention to the unusual risks associated with animals finding their way onto aircraft.