NEW DELHI, Oct 14: Akasa Air will start bookings for pets from October 15 for
flights from November 1.
Akasa Air has become the third airline, after Air India and Spicejet, to allow
pets on board. The airline will allow “domesticated dogs and cats” in passenger
cabin as well as cargo compartment from next month, India’s new scheduled airline
said in a statement.
Small pets weighing up to seven kg can be brought inside the passenger cabin
while heavier animals weighing more than that will travel in the cargo compartment.
However, taking pets along in the flight is not a hassle-free job. There are
several things to be taken care of for the safety of the pets as well as to
ensure that no inconvenience is caused to the co-passengers. The airline may
ask for vaccination certificates as well as vet reports to ensure the pets have
no health issues. The airline on its part has to see the pets are accommodated
in secure environment in the cargo section, with enough space for it to move
around and in normal temperature.
Akasa Air was founded by the late billionaire investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala
and launched in August last. The airline's network includes airports at Mumbai,
Ahmedabad, Chennai, Kochi and Bengaluru.
Air India and SpiceJet also allow pets on board. IndiGo and Air Asia do not
offer such a facility unless it's a service animal such as a guide dog for a
blind man. SpiceJet allows domesticated dogs and cats to fly on certain aircraft
only as air cargo. Pets are not allowed in the passenger cabin unless they are
service animals.
The pet must be carried in soft ventilated bags/kennel in the prescribed size.
A label will be affixed on the container showing the name of the pet. A moisture
absorbent mat must be placed in the container. The pet dog must be properly
muzzled and leashed. The pets/guide dogs will not be allowed to occupy a passenger
seat.
The import/export of pets by passengers is allowed only at six airports in
India. They are Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Kolakata, Chennai and Hyderabad. Clearance
from the Animal Quarantine & Certification Service (AQCS) is also a requirement
for pet carriage.
Pets should be properly crated and accompanied by valid documentation like
vaccinationa and vet certificates.
Air India rules
Air India allows a maximum of 2 animals per aircraft, as checked baggage or
service dog.
Carriage of pets is not permitted by Air India either in the hold or cabin
on Ultra Long Haul (ULH) Sectors (Direct Flights).
The name of owner in the official health certificate must match with the name
as mentioned in the ticket of owner to establish ownership.
Domestic pets such as dogs, cats and birds are permitted on Air India flights
in the cabin or as checked in baggage depending on the regulations of the country
of destination. The owner will be responsible for compliance with all governmental
customs and health requirements like vaccination and vet certificates.
Air India says it is not authorized to carry live animals (including service
animals) in and out of the United Kingdom and Germany, in cabin or as baggage/cargo.
Several other countries also ban pets.
It says the pet must be properly muzzled and leashed and the weight of the
pet including the container should not exceed 5 kg. Pets will be carried at
an additional charge too. They will not be included in the free baggage allowance,
