Giant vulture perches on Ryanair plane in Crete, delaying departure

A Ryanair flight scheduled to leave Crete on August 16 was delayed after a griffon vulture perched on its tail fin. The crew attempted to dislodge the bird by activating the tail flaps, but the raptor remained motionless. Firefighters arrived, and Antonis Petrakis, a member of the brigade, called the situation unprecedented, observing that the bird seemed calm and uninjured.

The responders covered the vulture with a jacket to calm it before it finally launched itself from the wing onto the runway. Once the bird was safely removed, the plane was cleared for takeoff. The incident highlights the occasional wildlife interactions that can affect aviation safety, especially in regions like Crete where large vulture populations are common.