A shocking yet amusing incident came to light when a Jet Airways flight parked at the Mumbai airport was greeted by an unlikely guest on Monday. A huge barn owl was perched inside the cockpit of a Jet Airways Boeing 777 and Twitter warmed up to the sight saying it was a “good omen” for the cash-strapped airline.
The nocturnal bird was found seated next to the left-hand seat which is used by the commander. Comfortably seated in the cockpit, the bird entered the aircraft which had been night parked at the Mumbai airport.
Airline officials said the feathery visitor was handed over to the fire service department of the Mumbai International Airport Limited for release. Officials said it is still unclear how the bird made it to the aircraft.
As soon as the news came in, Twitter users chipped in saying the bird will bring good luck for Jet Airways that is battling a financial crisis for several months now.
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Many in India believe owls bring good luck and money to any place they visit as it is the ‘vahan’ of Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity.
Saddled with debt of about $1.14 billion, Jet Airways has been hit by fierce competition, rupee depreciation and high oil prices.
As per few reports, the airline, which controls a sixth of India’s booming aviation market, owes money to banks, vendors and lessors — some of whom are considering taking back aircraft.
