Akasa Air will now be the second Indian carrier to allow passengers to bring pets with them.
The airline will allow “pet dogs and cats” in the passenger cabin as well as in the cargo compartment. However, after check-in at the airport, only small pets up to 7 kg can be brought inside the passenger cabin. Heavy animals weighing more than seven kilograms and up to 100 kilograms will go in the cargo compartment.
The airline will start booking for pets from October 15 for flights from November 1. The weight limit includes the weight of the ventilated container used to carry them.
“This is the first phase of our launch, and progressively you will see that we enhance our pet policy,” said Praveen Iyer, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer, Akasa Air.
The airline also collaborated with the NGO Umaid for Animals Foundation to help pet parents prepare pets for air travel along with incorporating industry best practices for animal transportation Is.
Air India allows two pets to be onboard. These include dogs, cats and birds. However, they cannot be heavier than five kilos. Pets have to muzzle and leash. Airlines often also charge additional baggage fees for carrying pets, although some, such as Air India, waive the fee for service dogs used by disabled passengers. Service dogs should not be inside the kennel, and they are also allowed to lead passengers with poor eyesight and hearing. SpiceJet’s cargo arm, called SpiceXpress, also carries pets as a form of freight.
The conditions of carriage are in accordance with the worldwide standard for the transport of live animals by commercial airlines developed by the International Air Transport Association, a global airline body.