Regulator orders Air Canada to lift ban on flying pets

THE Canadian Air Transportation Agency, an independent body that investigates complaints, has ruled that passengers are allowed to take their pets on board Air Canada's domestic and international flights.

This comes in the wake of a policy change last summer by the carrier, preventing passengers from transporting cats, dogs and other small animals as baggage. Back then, the airline had insisted pets be transported aboard cargo planes, to free up greater space for passenger luggage.

In its ruling, the agency slammed Air Canada's policy for being "unreasonable," saying the policy favours the interests of the carrier while exposing pets to harm, reports the Canwest News Service.

It said the airline has until May 5 to comply with the ruling and allow animals and their crates, with a combined weight of less than 31 kilogrammes, to be transported on all flights.