Airports increasingly pet-friendly, from waiting to the cabin

Italia, as Enac emphasises in a document, 'has launched an experimental phase aimed at allowing medium and large dogs to be carried in the passenger cabin, under controlled conditions and in full compliance with operational safety requirements and compatibility with other passengers'.

Precisely for this reason, an in-flight demonstration was authorised in order to gather useful elements for the validation of operational measures, the evaluation of compatibility criteria and the definition of reliable procedures to ensure safe and animal welfare-friendly transport.

'To date we have made guidelines,' says Pierluigi di Palma, president of Enac, the national civil aviation authority, 'which stipulate that pet carriers of up to thirty kilos can board. Of course the operators must define the procedures and bring them to our attention'. Adherence? "So far we have had a demonstration flight by Ita, which is proceeding with the procedure to market in Summer 26, and - argues the chairman - a similar initiative is being taken by Aeroitalia". However, the transport of four-legged friends in the cabin will have limitations: 'At present, transport is guaranteed up to 8 pets, two large ones and 6 in the carrier,' he argues. 'It is a question of civilisation because dogs are part of the family. And our route is also a cultural challenge'. The Enac president recalls that 'in business they are already carried without problems. In commercial aircraft they have access. Of course we take care of the Italian companies that are now taking action'.

While in Italia Enac has started a structured experiment on cabin transport of medium-large animals, in Spain the picture appears more fragmented. Areas for animals or spaces dedicated to physiological needs are in fact not provided for by uniform state legislation, but depend to a large extent on the individual airport managers - Aena in the case of most public network airports.

Law 7/2023 of 28 March on the Protection of Animal Rights and Welfare promotes the access of pets to means of transport, including airports, but does not set a single standard valid throughout the country. On the contrary, Aena maintains an explicit general prohibition: animals are not allowed to relieve themselves inside airport areas, except in specially equipped spaces.

At major airports - such as Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas, Barcelona-El Prat, Palma de Mallorca and Málaga-Costa del Sol - dedicated areas have therefore been created for pets, both in public areas and, in some cases, beyond the security checkpoints. At Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat airport, for example, there are three dog areas distributed between Terminal T1 (floors 1 and 3) and Terminal T2 (floors 0 and 1). These are open-air spaces, with natural grass, designed to allow passengers to wait for their flights with their pets in more comfortable conditions. In addition to green areas where dogs can roam freely, the areas are equipped with drinking fountains for fresh water, waste baskets, and anchor points to tie up the animal safely.

On the airline front, carriers such as Iberia, Vueling and Air Europa allow pets to be carried in the cabin within certain weight limits, generally around 8 kilograms including the carrier. Beyond this threshold, the animal must travel in the hold in an approved container. Procedures are closely linked to the infrastructure characteristics of airports: dimensions compatible with space under the seat, prior authorisation, documentary checks and inspections at major hubs. Air Europa, for example, in the case of connecting flights in Madrid, requires a minimum connection time of three hours to allow for documentary and customs checks, particularly during the hottest months (June to September). Carriers must be Iata-approved, with adequate ventilation, waterproof bottom and secure closure, to ensure compatibility with airport security and baggage handling systems.

*This article is part of the European collaborative journalism project "Pulse"