IATA CEO expresses support for new US DoT rules for emotional support animals

IATA director general and CEO Alexandre de Juniac expressed (20-Feb-2020) support for a US Department of Transportation (DoT) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to eliminate the requirement for US airlines to accommodate emotional support animals in the cabin. The NPRM proposes that only dogs can be service animals, and it defines a service animal as a dog that is individually trained to do work and perform tasks on behalf of a person with disabilities. Mr de Juniac noted that US airlines have been "required to permit passengers to bring on board a menagerie of dogs, pigs, miniature horses, ducks and turkeys, among others". In many cases these animals are "untrained and represent a hazard both to other passengers and to legitimate service animals", said Mr de Juniac. [more - original PR]