Pets can fly, but fares aren't tame

New Delhi: You are important for airlines in India. Your pet isn’t. All you may need to fly one-way between metros is Rs 1,500-Rs 5,000. For your accompanying animal, the tag can be more than double. That too only on few carriers and with some hassle—arranging appropriate cage, which should typically be double the height of the pet; after proper documentation including a medical fitness certificate; and subject to availability of adequate cargo space for pets, which are more than four months old.
Small pets—usually a puppy, a kitten or parrots—that are allowed to travel with the passenger are not treated as free baggage. On the contrary, charges are made on the basis of excess baggage rates. Rates are typically double the weight of the pet, along with volume of the cage.
Airline executives claim that most requests are for carrying pets with passengers in the cabin. However, all this is subject to pilot’s consent.
28/12/06 Sudipto Dey & Rajat Guha/Economic Times

To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline