Ningxia launches new pet flight service

A chartered flight for pets landed in Zhongwei, Ningxia Hui autonomous region, on Oct 16, inaugurating a new service model for the local airport. （Photo by Li Tingyu/For chinadaily.com.cn）

A chartered flight for pets landed in Zhongwei, Ningxia Hui autonomous region, on Oct. 16, inaugurating a new service model for the local airport.

Onboard the flight were 70 passengers from Shanghai and 32 pets. Throughout the journey, the pets stayed beside their owners in the cabin. Upon arriving in Zhongwei, passengers exited the airplane with their beloved companions.

In August, Juneyao Airlines accepted an application from the China Travel Service Group to launch a specialized flight for pets. With support from Pudong Airport in Shanghai and Zhongwei Airport in Ningxia, the project was carried out smoothly after the flight schedule was confirmed. A special route for the pets and their owners was designated with several arrival and departure considerations.

"I would like to take my pets wherever I go because they've become our family members after being with us for a long time. With the special flights for pets launched, we can enjoy journeys with our puppies to far-away places," one passenger named Huang Jin said.

To apply for a chartered pet flight, passengers must make sure their registration and epidemic prevention certificate have not expired. Special pet facilities should be prepared, including pet aviation cases that meet the size and strength requirements for flights.