Air Canada temporarily bans pets from baggage hold, cites delays

Air Canada said on Wednesday it will not allow animals in the baggage hold until Sept. 12 due to “longer than usual” delays at airports, as carriers and airports wrestle with complaints over lost luggage and long lines. Airlines in Europe, the United States and Canada are cancelling and delaying flights due to staffing shortages while traffic surges faster than expected after slumping during the pandemic. Passengers at airports from Toronto to Frankfurt have been sharing photos on social media of piled-up luggage near baggage belts. “Due to longer than usual airport delays, and for the safety and comfort of pets, we will not be accepting new requests for pets travelling in the baggage compartment until Sept. 12, 2022,” Air Canada said. Current pet bookings will be honoured, it said. Earlier this month, Canadian broadcast network CTV News reported that a dog flown by a different carrier had been left at Toronto Pearson International Airport with baggage for about 21 hours. Air Canada’s smaller rival WestJet Airlines said it will continue accepting animals. Canada’s government said on Wednesday it is working with industry to reduce congestion. The country’s transport minister met recently with the heads of Canada’s two largest airlines and airport.<br/>