A STORNOWAY flight delayed its take-off to let a baby hedgehog walk safely across the runway.
The Loganair flight was taxiing to the runway in Stornoway, Lewis, when the prickly creature made an appearance.
The captain brought the Saab 340 aircraft to a halt at around 5.20pm on Thursday and waited two minutes for the creature to cross.
The 30 passengers on board were alerted about the reason for the delay in their journey to Inverness in the Highlands.
READ MORE: Loganair adds new routes
Neil Hughes, Loganair’s director of flight operations, said: “The captain safely avoided a prickly situation for the little hedgehog, following procedure until the animal was off the tarmac.
@FlyLoganair While departing Stornoway Airport yesterday evening the plane was heading to the runway when it came to a sudden stop.
— Roddy Macleod (@roddymacleod02) September 20, 2019
After a short time the captain announced he has stopped to let a baby hedgehog cross over in front of him! #loganair #logancare
“Our network extends into some of Scotland’s most remote communities so there are quite a few opportunities to see animals in the wild – and we’re always conscious to disturb them as little as possible.”
READ MORE: A better way to travel to London with Loganair
Pilots operating from Stornoway regularly scan the runway for wildlife, given the rural location of the airport in the Outer Hebrides.
One passenger, Roddy Macleod said: I was on the LM156 from Stornoway to Inverness at 5 pm when the aircraft was taxing towards the runway when all of a sudden the brakes went on like an emergency stop!
"After a minute the captain came over the radio telling us that he was waiting on a baby hedgehog to pass."
Lynn Valentine said her husband has to work in Stornoway sometimes and this was his excuse for being late home.
She said on social media: "It’s true! Flight delayed by baby hedgehog on Stornoway Airport runway."
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