Doctors call for airline pet ban
Sunday 21 February 2010
Related articles
A report in an influential medical journal has called for airlines to ban passengers flying with pets in the cabin.
In the February issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal, an editorial entitled "Pets in airplane cabins: an unnecessary allergic hazard" criticized the decision of Air Canada to allow small pets such as cats, dogs and birds to travel in aircraft cabins.
Citing research that suggests one in ten people suffer an allergy to animals, the doctors behind the article believe that new legislation to protect passengers with severe peanut allergies should be extended by the Canadian Transport Agency to passengers with allergies to pets. Many global airlines no longer serve peanuts as inflight snacks due to the risk of allergic passengers suffering from severe reactions prompted by peanut dust in re-circulated air.
"The preferences of pet owners should not supersede the well-being of their fellow passengers. Pets can be accommodated comfortably and safely in airplane cargo holds, which is where they belong," said the authors. "Airlines must choose to put the needs of their human passengers first, or be forced to do so."
In 1998, a study published in the New Zealand Medical Journal identified cat allergen on 100 percent of sampled airplane seats on domestic flights and 16 percent of seats on international flights. Despite this, according to airline review site Seatguru.com several major airlines - including Air France, Continental, KLM, JetBlue, JAL, Lufthansa, Swiss and United Airlines - allow caged pets to travel in passenger cabins on certain routes.
Pet owners are often reluctant to allow pets to travel in the holds of aircraft which, although pressurized, may suffer temperature fluctuations and can be traumatic for pets. Aiming to allay the fears of owners, "Pet Airways" launched pet-only flights between five US cities in April 2009.
Life & Style blogs
Wandsworth tops aspiring young professionals hotspot list
Other popular areas include Didsbury, Clifton in Bristol, central Cambridge and West Bridgford
Christian GPs and the morning after pill: Much needed clarification
Doctors are allowed to have personal beliefs, just as long as these beliefs do not interfere with th...
Justin Webb on the medical advances in tackling heart disease
BBC journalist Justin Webb talks about his experiences of the advances in preventing heart attacks a...
- 1 'He was lucky he didn't die' - George Michael fell out of speeding car onto M1 motorway, according to eye witness
- 2 Gay couple beaten in park urge MPs to moderate language on gay marriage
- 3 After woman sells virginity for $780,000, here are the results of our prostitution survey
- 4 Far-right French historian, 78-year-old Dominique Venner, commits suicide in Notre Dame in protest against gay marriage
- 5 'It was just like the movie Twister': Man survives Oklahoma tornado by taking refuge in horse stall
Get your summer started with British Military Fitness
BMF is the UK’s biggest and best loved outdoor fitness classes
Visit York
Find out what The Independent's resident travel expert has to say about one of the most beautiful small cities in the world
Enter the latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Business videos from commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
iJobs General
Senior IP Associate / Partner - Manchester
Excellent Salary Package - £60K to £120K: Austen Lloyd: We have an exciting op...
Java Developer
£200 - £250 per day: Progressive Recruitment: Java Developer - Urgent Requirem...
BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE ARCHITECT, SAP
£70000 - £95000 per annum + Bonus, flexible working hours, remote work: Progre...
SAP BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE SENIOR CONSULTANT
£50000 - £56000 per annum + Benefits package, flexible working hours: Progress...
Why clubs are keen to take a stand
In the end the fans decided Tony Pulis had made a pig's ear of the job at Stoke City




Comments