GOL Linhas Aéreas announced today that it will no longer transport animals in the hold of its Boeing 737 jets for the next 30 days.
The decision comes after the death of the dog Joca, a Golden Retriever breed, which occurred yesterday on a GOL flight from Fortaleza to Guarulhos. The animal had left the São Paulo airport earlier, but was sent to the capital of Ceará by mistake, as the trip was to Sinop, in Mato Grosso.
The dog arrived back at Guarulhos International Airport already lifeless, where his owner was waiting for him, after returning from Sinop due to the animal being “lost”.
Due to the case and the negative repercussion generated, GOL decided to suspend all shipments of dogs and cats in the hold, starting tomorrow, April 24th. The measure will last until May 23rd, and all passengers who have already purchased the service to transport animals through the hold will be fully refunded, including the guardian’s ticket, or will be able to reschedule both tickets for a future date, free of charge.
For passengers who will take their dogs and cats in a suitable carrier that fits under the seat in front, boarding continues as normal on GOL flights. Therefore, in the next 30 days, only LATAM will transport animals in the hold on domestic flights in Brazil.
