Europe – The European Court of Justice has issued a controversial ruling that allows pets to be considered as carry-on baggage on flights. The decision has sparked widespread debate among airlines, animal welfare groups, and travelers across the continent.
The court affirmed in its reasoning that pets accompanying passengers are not considered “passengers” in the legal sense. Rather, they are treated as part of personal baggage. This entails the application of the rules for baggage compensation in the event of loss or damage during flights.
The decision, which followed a legal dispute between a passenger and a European airline, has reopened the issue of animal rights on board aircraft, particularly given the increasing number of passengers bringing their pets in the cabin or cargo hold.
The ruling sparked a wave of criticism from animal welfare organizations. These organizations considered the decision “degrading to the dignity of animals” and treating them as luggage. Airlines, however, believed it settled the legal controversy.
