Pets and luggage were allegedly left out in the pouring rain for half an hour at an airport in Australia, prompting concerns and criticism from passengers, while the involved airline was left to conduct an investigation and emphasize its policy of prioritizing pet safety in adverse weather conditions.
A woman reportedly snapped an image showing two trolley loads of belongings left sitting on the tarmac during heavy rains at Sydney Airport on Friday (April 5).
The traveler said her luggage "came home wet" after she disembarked from her flight in the Australian capital city before accusing Australian airline Qantas of leaving bags and pets outdoors in the wet weather for up to 30 minutes on a day when the city faced its highest daily rainfall in two years, Yahoo News Australia reported on Tuesday (April 9).
According to a social media post acquired by Yahoo News, the stunned woman wrote: "Unfortunately the weather was unavoidable, but this luggage was left out in the open in Sydney for 30 mins and the animals for 15 minutes — one facing the rain."
A woman shared a pic of luggage left exposed to heavy rains at Sydney Airport, raising concerns over Qantas allegedly leaving bags and pets outside
Image credits: Facebook
Another passenger also reportedly called out Qantas, echoing what the woman initially claimed on the unspecified social media platform, writing: "[I was on] on [the] same flight, my luggage came home wet. Thinking a cover in these conditions would be nice."
The woman reportedly posted a picture alongside a complaint, which has been reviewed and shared by Yahoo News.
It showcased a handful of suitcases on the tarmac behind a Qantas plane, with another separate trolley appearing in front of the engine, carrying at least one pet in a crate.
Responding to the woman's post, social media users slammed what they described as "unacceptable" behavior from the Aussie airline.
A person commented: "Those poor fur babies.
"I'd report this if I saw it after flying my little dude to and from New Zealand.
"Should have brought this to the attention of ground crew ASAP."
Another observer wrote: "I'm unimpressed by the luggage but those pet carriers out there is absolutely unacceptable.
"I'd be fuming if my boy was stuck on the tarmac in a cage in torrential rain, making an already stressful situation even worse."
Someone else penned: "Disgusting to leave those fur babies out in the rain.
"Almost animal abuse."
Qantas is investigating the incident, adding that they have a policy that allows customers to change pet bookings if extreme weather is expected
Image credits: Fidel Fernando
Nevertheless, other people defended the airline, saying that it is simply "the risk you take when you fly your animals."
A Qantas spokesperson told Bored Panda in an email: “Qantas takes the safety and welfare of pets traveling with us very seriously.
“In weather conditions such as last Friday, we have a policy of keeping pets undercover until the very last moment that they need to leave the terminal to be loaded into the aircraft.”
The spokesperson further revealed that the airline was currently investigating “what occurred on this day,” adding that they have a policy that allows customers to change pet bookings free of charge if extreme weather is expected.
According to Qantas, the policy in question was activated on Thursday (April 4) ahead of Friday’s forecast weather.
Bored Panda has contacted Syndey Airport for comment.
"This is why pets should be allowed in cabins with their owners," a reader commented
