Animal Airways Introduces International Service for Blind Passengers Flying with Guide Dogs
London, UK – On Wednesday 27 August, 2025, Animal Airways, a British company specializing in veterinary travel logistics and pet relocation, announced a groundbreaking international service designed to support blind and visually impaired passengers flying with their guide dogs. The initiative aims to address long-standing gaps in regulation, veterinary support, and documentation processes that have left many travelers without adequate solutions.
The Need for Global Support
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are over 39 million blind individuals worldwide, with an additional 246 million living with moderate to severe vision impairment. This represents a significant global community of potential guide dog users, highlighting the responsibility to ensure that wherever guide dogs travel, they are supported with professional veterinary care, documentation, and safe transport solutions.
A Personal Story: Elad and his Guide Dog Mirvis
Beyond the statistics, the experience of real passengers sheds light on the issue.
Elad Davidovich, a blind traveler, has flown across the world with his guide dog Mirvis. On a recent journey supported by Animal Airways, Mirvis was upgraded to the business class cabin, providing him with the extra comfort and space that large guide dogs often require.
“Elad loves sharing the story,” says the Animal Airways team. “Every time he lands, he tells people how Mirvis settled quietly by his side throughout the flight, and how stress-free the experience was compared to past trips. For Elad, it’s not just about reaching a destination – it’s about traveling with dignity and independence.”
The Global and UK Context
The United Kingdom is home to one of the world’s largest and most respected assistance dog organizations: Guide Dogs UK. As of late 2024, the organization supports 3,197 active guide dog partnerships. However, the challenge is not limited to Britain – around the world, major guide dog associations are striving to support thousands of partnerships between blind individuals and their guide dogs.
Animal Airways has already facilitated flights across multiple continents, ensuring veterinary clearances, paperwork, and airline approvals are in place before departure. With its strong British base and global expertise, the company is uniquely positioned to support this international community.
“Guide dog users face similar barriers both in Britain and around the world,” explains Luiza Rosemberg, one of the veterinarians at Animal Airways. “Our mission is to work hand-in-hand with charities, airlines, and regulators worldwide to ensure that guide dog owners can travel freely and safely, wherever life takes them.”
Closing the Gaps
While airlines have made progress in recognizing the rights of passengers with assistance animals, there still remains no organization that manages the full chain of veterinary care, legal compliance, documentation, and safe transport for guide dogs.
Animal Airways fills this gap. With over 30 years of veterinary and regulatory expertise, the company now offers a comprehensive travel service tailored to guide dog users. Services include:
– Veterinary pre-clearance and health certification in compliance with IATA and governmental requirements.
– Preparation and submission of all travel documentation, including airline and border control forms.
– Custom flight-path planning to minimize stress for both passenger and animal.
– Continuous support before, during, and after flights to ensure smooth journeys.
A Call for Partnerships
In addition to offering services, Animal Airways is calling for collaboration.
“Air travel should be about inclusion, dignity, and independence,” adds Rosemberg. “By removing unnecessary obstacles, we can transform not just the flying experience, but the lives of thousands of people who depend on their guide dogs daily.”
To achieve this, Animal Airways is seeking partnerships with charities in the UK and worldwide, as well as with airlines that want to strengthen their accessibility policies.
Press release distributed by: https://pressat.co.uk/
