Pet Travel – Air India Revives Ultra Long-Haul Pet Transport With First Rottweiler Journey
Pet Travel – Air India has successfully completed a rare ultra long-haul pet journey by transporting a four-year-old male Rottweiler named Cloud from Melbourne to New Delhi, marking the airline’s first such operation involving a pet on an Indian passenger flight in recent years.
Air India recently completed a significant milestone in its pet transportation services after flying Cloud, a 56-kilogram Rottweiler, alongside his owner on a nearly 12-hour journey from Australia to India. The owner was relocating permanently to India and wanted to ensure the dog accompanied him throughout the move. Both travelled on Air India flight AI309, with Cloud remaining safely inside a specially designed pet carrier placed in the aircraft’s cargo hold.
Special Arrangements Made for the Long Flight
According to airline officials, transporting pets on flights lasting more than 10 hours requires extensive planning and compliance with strict operational standards. During the flight, Cloud had access to drinking water inside the travel crate. To help reduce travel-related anxiety, veterinarians approved a mild calming medication that was not intended to sedate the animal. Airline representatives said the journey was completed smoothly without any reported issues.
Ultra long-haul flights are generally classified as services with flying times exceeding 10 hours. While several airlines allow pets on domestic routes and shorter international services either inside the cabin or in the cargo compartment, Air India currently holds the necessary approvals to transport cats and dogs on these extended international passenger flights.
Regulatory Approvals Took More Than a Year
Air India officials revealed that restoring this service required more than a year of preparation. Since the airline had not operated ultra long-haul pet transport for several years, fresh permissions had to be secured from authorities in both India and overseas.
The airline coordinated with airport operators, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders to complete the approval process. Among the organisations involved were the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). Permissions from international airports handling these flights were also necessary before the service could resume.
Airport Infrastructure Plays a Key Role
Officials explained that transporting pets safely involves more than airline approval alone. Airports handling these journeys must have dedicated infrastructure capable of accommodating animals before departure. Passengers travelling with pets are typically required to arrive several hours earlier than other travellers so that all veterinary, documentation, and handling procedures can be completed without delay.
Dedicated holding areas, trained personnel, and facilities for animal care are considered essential for long-haul pet travel. Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport already has arrangements to support these requirements, making it suitable for such operations.
Air India Restarts a Previously Suspended Service
Air India had operated long-distance pet transportation in the past, but the service was discontinued years before the Tata Group assumed ownership of the airline. Following the decision to restart the facility, the carrier had to repeat the entire approval process under current aviation regulations.
The airline currently operates several ultra long-haul routes connecting India with destinations in Australia, the United States, and Canada. The successful transportation of Cloud is expected to demonstrate the airline’s ability to handle complex international pet relocation requests while meeting safety and regulatory standards.
Other Indian Airlines Have Different Policies
Among Indian carriers, IndiGo currently does not permit pets on ultra long-haul passenger flights. Meanwhile, Air India Express, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air do not operate ultra long-haul international services, meaning such pet transportation options are presently unavailable through those airlines.
Air India’s latest operation highlights the growing demand for international pet relocation as more families move across countries while choosing to travel with their companion animals. The airline’s successful completion of Cloud’s journey reflects the detailed coordination required between aviation authorities, airports, and airline staff to ensure animal welfare throughout extended international flights.