Family’s year-end trip scuttled after Air India refuses to allow pet on board

BENGALURU: A Bengaluru-based man and his family had planned a year-end trip along with their pet. But the airline put paid to all their plans as the pet dog was not allowed to board. The man posted a video on Twitter, tagging Air India, and alleged that his pet was not allowed to board the flight despite having a boarding pass and following the airline’s rules.

Sachin Shenoy, a HR professional, posted a video on Twitter from the airport saying that the family was supposed to travel from Bengaluru to Amritsar via Delhi on flight AI 503 on Saturday. They had planned a trip to Amritsar, Dharamsala and Dalhousie.

Sachin Shenoy said ,”We had booked the ticket three months back and were constantly in touch with Air India authorities on the process to travel with the pet. Despite following the rules, we were not allowed to board the flight. Our pet weighs 4.2 kg, and with the bag, she is hardly 5 kg. She was issued a boarding pass as well and then we waited peacefully for four hours at the airport. She was petted by 250 people in the airport”.

https://t.co/lEVEHbEybU…@PMOIndia @JM_Scindia @Manekagandhibjp @tv9kannada @republic @WIONews @timesofindia @TimesNow @MirrorNow @AnimalRightsCom @RNTata2000 pic.twitter.com/VSsUbzh16i

— Sachin Shenoy (@SachinShenoy7) December 17, 2022

“Finally, the pilot, Captain Chopra, denied entry and that is what was told to us. We were told to leave the pet and travel. It is as good as leaving your kid and flying. Is this what travel in modern India has become?” he asked, expressing his displeasure. He also mentioned he had suffered huge losses due to the pre-booking for the travel and cabs.

The video was shared by many Twitter users and they have expressed their displeasure. Air India responded to the issue and tweeted, ” Dear Mr. Shenoy, we’ve been making consistent efforts to offer you and Fluffy to fly on the next available flight since yesterday, after Fluffy could not fly in the cabin as our Commander had some reservations about its cage and muzzle”.

Sachin Shenoy responded to Air India’s tweet,”Can you make all bookings for me again for the 12 days and assure me that my family won’t be put through this torture again? You have not. Then why this false effort out here on twitter?”.

“But no assurances and also who will help me with the booking and arrangements for my 12 day trip which is gone cos of this decision”, he added.