CAA opens consultation including standards for assistance dogs
Have your say on assistance dogs and air travel.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has opened a consultation on the creation of a framework for airline accessibility. This includes setting standards for assistance dog partnerships for air travel.
They have proposed that a ‘recognised assistance dog’ for air travel has to reach a ‘minimum training standard’.
A dog will be considered this if any of the following applies:
- been trained by a member of the ADI or IGDF
- been trained by a candidate of the ADUK or ADEu
- received accreditation by the ADAA
- dogs trained to a similar or higher standard as set out by the organisations above, if evidence can be provided
A dog will be able to fly with both:
- A self-declaration or doctors note confirming a dog’s tasks
- Proof they have reached minimum training standards
The proposal also includes a requirement for airlines to give assistance dog partnerships a free seat if required for safety purposes.
You can also find the responses to the original 2019 ‘Recognised Assistance Dogs: A Call for Evidence’ as Annex 1 for more context.
If you want to have your say on the proposed framework for assistance dogs or other areas of accessibility covered by it you have until 21st July 2023 to comment.
To find the consultation and relevant documents go to: https://consultations.caa.co.uk/corporate-communications/performance-framework-for-airline-accessibility/
