In brief
Mittens, an eight-year-old cat, was supposed to travel with her owner from Christchurch to Melbourne on January 12. However, her cage was overlooked by the airline staff and left in the cargo hold. After not finding Mittens in Melbourne, her owner, Margo Neas, was informed that the aircraft had already made its return trip to Christchurch with the cat still on board. Fortunately, during the flight back, heating was provided in the cargo to keep Mittens comfortable.
Ground staff assured Neas that Mittens had been found and would be sent back to Melbourne for a reunion. Acknowledging the distress caused, Air New Zealand committed to an investigation into the incident, suggesting that a stowed wheelchair may have blocked the baggage handlers' view of Mittens' cage. The airline has promised to cover all costs related to the travel mishap.Neas expressed her overwhelming joy when finally reunited with Mittens, stating, "She basically just ran into my arms and just snuggled up in here." Neas spoke about the challenges of relocating to Australia and how the incident didn't set an ideal tone for their new beginning.In total, the flight between Christchurch and Melbourne typically spans under four hours. The situation highlights the importance of animal safety and procedural measures in the airline industry. Air Travel, Cats, New Zealand, Australia, Melbourne
