Switzerland / MOROCCO
A Genevan woman has been prevented from returning to her country since March. One of the reasons surprises …
- of
- Frédéric Nejad Toulami
–
This curly-haired bichonne was refused on a repatriation flight. The company and the FDFA reject the responsibility.
–dr
–
“I’m still stuck in Marrakech. I preferred to stay there with my dog, because she is of an emotional race. She will be 7 years old on August 18 and is helping me a lot in difficult times with my autoimmune disease. Leave it in Morocco when I see how they treat animals? No thanks.” On the phone, Daniele looks tired and angry. This Genevan on vacation in Morocco with her bichon frize had her return ticket for March 19. But the flight was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. And his attempts to return to Switzerland with the Swiss company on April 1, May 18, and then June 1 were unsuccessful. “In the meantime, I called the Swiss Embassy in Rabat for a chargeable repatriation. But when I announced that I had my dog, I was told to leave her in Morocco: no animals on repatriation flights. And they hung up on me, “says Daniele.
–
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) has told us that it allows the transport of pets on its repatriation flights. “However, the conditions of the airline concerned are authoritative. In this specific case, Edelweiss has set specific guidelines for the handling of animals, particularly in relation to their number and weight. The Confederation had no influence on these procedures, “explains the FDFA.
–
Edelweiss and the FDFA reject responsibility
Dogs and cats are normally allowed on regular Edelweiss flights, said Andreas Meier, spokesperson for Edelweiss. Depending on their size and weight, they are transported in the cabin or in the baggage hold. The number of animals being limited, it must be registered with Edelweiss at least 4 working days before departure. But according to Andreas Meier, “It was the FDFA that set the framework for repatriation flights. One of these requirements was that no pets should be transported. Edelweiss simply implemented this decision, ”he says. An assertion that the FDFA did not endorse last Friday. Swiss side, we are told that repatriation with his pet was allowed.
–
Travelers are requested to comply with local law and to contact their travel insurance, the airline or even their travel agency in order to take independent steps to find alternative solutions. If this happens, wait until the routes are opened again or the restrictions lifted. Given the current situation, the FDFA says that it has “very limited possibilities, even none in some cases”, for assistance in leaving affected regions or continuing a journey. Travelers are urged to do “everything in their power to organize their exit and return to Switzerland in an independent and proactive manner”.
—-
/imgs/2020/06/01/18/3936644/73a82d230144005920a89231974568fbfd7f156a.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1)