PUBLIC REQUEST:
The Civil Aviation Administration said that last month it had a meeting with all stakeholders, but air carriers must still evaluate the proposal
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By Shelley Shan / Staff reporter
The Civil Aviation Administration on Monday said that it has asked local airlines to study the feasibility of allowing passengers to carry small pets on board, after more than 5,000 people supported a petition on the Public Policy Online Participation Network Platform in June.
The person who made the proposition online in April said that the government should quickly amend the Regulations of Animal Transportation (動物運送管理辦法) to let passengers travel with their pets in the cabin.
The amendment should also stipulate that cargo cabins that are used to carry animals must have a temperature control system, proper ventilation and emergency veterinarian care, they said.
They also requested a three-way meeting among the government, airlines and pet owners to discuss solutions, adding that airlines should consider offering pet-friendly flights.
As the proposition was endorsed by more than 5,300 people in June, it met the criteria for a valid proposal and the administration is obligated to respond within two months.
“We invited the person who made the proposition as well as representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and domestic airlines to discuss possible solutions on Aug. 15. Representatives from different organizations fully understood the person’s concerns for the safety of pet transportation and pet owners’ rights,” the civil aviation authority said in a statement.
However, airlines must still evaluate the proposal in terms of flight safety, comfort and safety of pets, and other passengers’ perception, the agency said.
Article 17 of Regulations of Animal Transportation authorizes domestic airlines to transport animals based on international transport agreements and rules set by the countries that import animals, the CAA said.
The International Air Transportation Association has regulations about the transportation of live animals, which airlines can follow, the agency said.
“We have asked Taiwanese airlines to consider requests from all parties, including those from passengers traveling with pets. They should also evaluate pet-friendly measures that are practiced by international flight carriers. Hopefully, passengers traveling with their pets can have diverse flight options,” it said.
Among airlines that offer international flight services in Taiwan, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Turkish Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Korean Air allow passengers to bring their pets in passenger cabins.
On flights offered by United and KLM, only cats or dogs are allowed in passenger cabins.
In addition to dogs and cats, birds are also allowed on board on Delta Air Lines, Turkish Airlines and Korean Air flights.
However, all airlines require pets carried on board to be small and placed in pet containers.
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