A Ryanair Boeing 737-800 was grounded for two days in Rome due to a stray cat found inside the aircraft. The plane, registered as EI-DPI, landed at Rome Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Airport on January 31 after flying from Barcelona El Prat Airport. It remained grounded until February 3 when it departed for Memmingen Airport. Since then, the aircraft has resumed its regular operations.
In a similar incident involving animals at airports, Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport had to close two runways in November 2024. A female dog escaped its carriage and ran across the airport premises. Officials used drones during a non-peak period to locate the animal, which was eventually reunited with its owner.
Traveling with animals involves various regulations. In the US, federal and state governments have restrictions on transporting live animals, and airlines have their own rules according to the Department of Transportation (DOT). The US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service enforces the Animal Welfare Act, ensuring that shipping containers meet standards for size, ventilation, strength, sanitation, and design.
“Cages and other shipping containers must meet the minimum standard for size, ventilation, strength, sanitation, and design for safe handling,” according to guidelines provided by authorities.
Additional requirements include owners bringing animals to airlines four hours before departure. Animals must be fed within specific time frames depending on their age and not exposed to temperatures below 45°F unless approved by a veterinarian.
