Air Canada adds pets to no-fly list Last Updated: Thursday, June 21, 2007 | 5:15 PM ET CBC News
Air Canada has declared its aircraft no-fly zones for pets.
As of next month, animals will no longer be allowed aboard any Air Canada flights.
Darren Jakubec's pet dog died of carbon monoxide poisoning while travelling in an Air Canada cargo hold. Darren Jakubec's pet dog died of carbon monoxide poisoning while travelling in an Air Canada cargo hold.
While the airline barred pets from aircraft cabins last September, the restriction now applies to the baggage compartment as well.
In a letter sent to the Canadian Transportation Agency on Wednesday, the national carrier said, "please be advised that Air Canada will cease the carriage of pets as checked luggage on domestic as well as international routes [including transborder routes], as of July 15, 2007."
Air Canada said the decision was prompted by "record load factors" for the past three years, as well as new security requirements that are leading passengers to check more luggage.
"It really comes down to a question of carrying bags for the vast majority of our customers or carrying pets for a small number of our customers," spokesman Peter Fitzpatrick told CBC News.
He denied the ban was related to a case in January 2004 when a B.C. family's pet dog died of carbon monoxide poisoning while travelling in an Air Canada cargo hold.
Although Air Canada said it was not responsible for the accident, owner Darren Jakubec argued that the rules around liability were unclear. He took his case to the CTA, which agreed, but concluded that airlines were not responsible for the health of pets.
"The Canadian Transportation Agency did exonerate Air Canada in that case, although they did ask us to clarify our rule," Fitzpatrick said. "This is really about improving customer service."
Fitzpatrick said the airline will allow people with existing reservations to fly with their pets after the deadline. Otherwise, animals will be permitted to travel only on more expensive Air Canada cargo flights that have trained animal handlers.
Air Canada's website still advises passengers that pets are permitted in the cargo compartment.
Hedy Hope, a spokeswoman for the Calgary Humane Society, said it's not fair that pet owners will have to resort to cargo flights.
"I think it's important that if people object to not having their pets able to travel with them on the plane that they should file a complaint to the company and state their objections," Hope told CBC News.
Important: Pets in the baggage compartment service is no longer available on Air Canada flights within Canada for tickets issued on/after July 15th 2007 for travel on/after July 15th 2007. Pet requests and bookings made prior to July 15th, 2007 with ticket issued prior to July 15th, 2007 will be honored. For any travel within Canada after July 15th with a pet, Air Canada Cargo (AC Live Product) must be used. Please consult Air Canada Cargo for details at http://www.aircanadacargo.com.
Air Canada continues to accept pets in the baggage compartment for International travel and travel to and from the U.S.A.
Christmas Holiday Embargo - There will be a system wide embargo on pets from December 18 to January 7.
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