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Ottawa, Canada - An Air Canada spokeswoman said an airplane was taken out of service and 205 passengers left the aircraft at the gate after a rat was found on board.

The deplaning of passengers from what would have been Air Canada Flight AC888 came after the rodent was spotted in one of the aircraft’s overhead lockers, The Daily Telegraph said.

The aircraft, scheduled for a flight from Ottawa to London, was taken out of service after a pest control team was unable to locate the elusive rodent.

London resident Richard Jones, whose girlfriend had been expected to arrive in London, said passengers learned of the furry stowaway from the captain.

“He said: ‘We’ve got bad news. A giant rat has been seen in the overhead lockers and I need everyone to get off while we try and find it,’” Jones told the Telegraph.

“I’ve heard some excuses for delays before, but never because a rat has hidden away on a flight. It’s incredible,” he added.

An airline spokesman said passengers were accommodated on the next flight.

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