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From December this year, airlines will be able to decide if pet cats and dogs can be carried in the cabins on Australian domestic flights.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s changes to general flight and operating rules take effect from December 2, in a significant first step towards allowing pets in the cabin other than designated service dogs.
Under the changes, responsibility for allowing pets in the cabin would be passed to the pilot-in-command, with a few general guidelines to be observed.
“When giving permission, you may need to consider the type of animal and how it is carried, contained and restrained; its reaction to noise and being out of its natural environment; nuisance to other passengers; distraction to flight crew; and how excrement or fluids will be contained,” the new CASA rules state.
“A large animal should always be secured so as not to damage or affect the balance of the aircraft in flight. A small or medium-sized animal carried in the cabin would normally need as a minimum to be restrained during takeoff and landing and in turbulence.”
...
Although Qantas and Jetstar immediately ruled out allowing pets in the cabin in response to the CASA changes, Virgin Australia is leaving the door open.
“We’ll consider the regulatory changes as part of a wider pet travel review we’re currently undertaking,” a spokesman said.
“Regardless of the outcome, designated service dogs will still be able to travel in the cabin.”
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s changes to general flight and operating rules take effect from December 2, in a significant first step towards allowing pets in the cabin other than designated service dogs.
Under the changes, responsibility for allowing pets in the cabin would be passed to the pilot-in-command, with a few general guidelines to be observed.
“When giving permission, you may need to consider the type of animal and how it is carried, contained and restrained; its reaction to noise and being out of its natural environment; nuisance to other passengers; distraction to flight crew; and how excrement or fluids will be contained,” the new CASA rules state.
“A large animal should always be secured so as not to damage or affect the balance of the aircraft in flight. A small or medium-sized animal carried in the cabin would normally need as a minimum to be restrained during takeoff and landing and in turbulence.”
...
Although Qantas and Jetstar immediately ruled out allowing pets in the cabin in response to the CASA changes, Virgin Australia is leaving the door open.
“We’ll consider the regulatory changes as part of a wider pet travel review we’re currently undertaking,” a spokesman said.
“Regardless of the outcome, designated service dogs will still be able to travel in the cabin.”
