Greece evacuation plan from the Middle East uplifts spirits of pet owners

By Javohir Aminov, Asst. News Editor

Athens, Greece arranged an evacuation plan for their people by utilizing an airlift specifically for animals and their owners to be safely transported back to Greece and away from the current war in the Middle East.

The government orchestrated a United Arab Emirates flight from Abu Dhabi to cross the Aegean Sea, which carried 45 pets and 101 people. Once the plane landed, small dogs immediately “jumped for joy” after being let out of their travel carry cases, according to AP News. This was an extraordinary outcome for these passengers and their pets since attacks on Iran by both U.S. and Israeli forces have forced most airlines to shut down across the Middle East in order to minimize the danger in this current climate.

This shutdown has caused thousands of tourists, travelers and local civilians to be stranded in Middle Eastern countries with no safety or shelter from this war. Countries like Iran and Saudi Arabia are consistently facing airstrikes, which target their infrastructure, causing major architectural damage and high casualties for innocent bystanders and Middle Eastern soldiers, who are currently deployed.

The severity of this situation has instigated panic among many who are residing in the Middle East, causing them to try and leave their countries as soon as possible. Pet owners, especially, had trouble finding flights for them and their furry companions because some flights would not accept any animals in the cabin or the cargo. Danai Koukoulomati, who was denied entry on certain flights and one of the passengers on board of the evacuation plane, states that “To me, my pet, my cat is family. There is no chance I’m going to leave him behind. It is very, very difficult to fly out of the country with your pets.”

Many locals and travelers state that they would never leave their companions’ side no matter the cost, even if it is in the middle of war. Multiple passengers on the plane want their pets to be seen as their families instead of airport luggage that are tossed to the side. Moreover, thanks to the Greek Interior Ministry’s special secretary for the protection of companion animals, Nikos Chrysakis adhered to the people who couldn’t get on board planes because of their pets, persisting on the dire matter of getting locals and Greek tourists to safety by allowing them the special opportunity of keeping their pets and their own welfare secure.