Pet cat goes missing at Delhi airport; woman passenger blames Air India staff

A female passenger's pet cat went missing at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport, and she alleged that it happened due to the 'negligence' of the Air India staff, asking them to take responsibility for it.

The incident took place when Jangneichong Karong was about to travel from the national capital to Imphal in Manipur.

A Twitter user shared the news about the lost kitten on the microblogging site, claiming that the pet was lost due to Air India's negligence.

"My friend's pet is missing due to negligence by @airindiain staff. This is a heart-wrenching tragedy and your negligence is inexcusable. You must take responsibility for your actions and make things right immediately. @RNTata2000," Sony Somar, a friend of the passenger tweeted.

Karong took the flight Al 889 flight from Delhi to Imphal at 9.55 am on April 24.

In her complaint, the female passenger stated that she was traveling with two pet kittens, but due to the unavailability of a flight reschedule and business class seat, she "with a heavy heart" let the cats travel through the cargo, from where one of the cats went missing.

"Date: 24/4/2023, I took the Al 889 flight from Delhi to Imphal at 9.55 am. As was travelling with 2 or my kittens (pet baby cats), I arrived at the airport at around 6.30 am. Ready to do everything to take my 2 kittens with me to my hometown. It was at the check-in that the night staff informed me that had 2 options either to reschedule or move to business class to take them with me in the cabin. Unfortunately, as the flight reschedule option was not available, I agreed to move to business class as was not comfortable to let my kittens travel through cargo but they said I'll have to wait till the morning staff arrives for any procedures. This led to me waiting till 7.30 am for the staff to arrive which was futile again because they informed me that business class is not possible and the only option is cargo. With heaviness in my heart, knowing that my kittens will at least have each other I agreed to the same and went ahead with procedures," the passenger alleged in her complaint,’’ Karong  said in her complaint.

"I ensured to secure the cage properly (it's a sturdy cage which you may check to clarify your doubts). There is no way that in any circumstance, it will open on its own or be kicked open by tiny kittens. After being given a proper go-ahead and assurance that my kittens are safe, I went ahead with security. But to my utter shock, it was when reached the gate with little time to board that I overheard the staff murmuring about pets on hold. With absolute fear, I went ahead to enquire and it broke my heart to hear that it was my pet on hold, the reason which they didn't tell me. After another 30 minutes of waiting, the manager said that 1 of my kitten ran out of the cage that was very well secured. With only 7 minutes to boarding, I was almost forced to give my consent to fly with just 1 kitten," the complaint read.

Furious over the staff’s negligence Jangneichong Karong demanded action against the airline if it fails to find her pet. "Please help me get my pet back or I'll have to take necessary action against your airline," she said in her complaint.

The passenger further said that she is in shock that one of her two kittens is still missing and untraceable, and she is still showing faith in Air India.

"This was heartbreaking and I'm still in complete mental shock that one of my kittens went missing. I'm sure your staff members were not careful with them because the latch felt loose when received it upon arrival. Really not sure who played with it resulting in me losing one of my pets," the complaint read.

She said that the airline charged the full amount for the two kittens as cargo during the trip. "Passenger who was ready to pay and in fact, paid all the required amount to have my 2 kittens fly with me. On top of that because of your staff members in capabilities. I had to go through the physical and mental hassles. Even had one of my friends travel to the airport to pick them up, if I wasn't allowed to travel with them. This is really not done," the passenger complained.

Air India is silent on the media question of the missing cat incident.

The airline replied to her friend's tweet about the incident and said, "Dear Ms Karongwe can understand your disappointment. Please be rest assured, we've already shared your details with the team to look into your concern and resolve it ASAP. We need some time to get back to you with an update."

Air India passenger has no faith in Air India and demands CCTV footage to find one of her kittens, it's been more than five days, and her kitten 'Phoenix' is still missing...

Further details are awaited.

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