Flying with easyJet from the UK? Don’t be surprised if you’re seated next to a furry, four-legged hero on your journey!
Low-cost European airline easyJet has now partnered with Northern Ireland emergency search and rescue dog charity, Search & Rescue Dog Association Ireland North (SARDA IN), to permit their highly-trained dogs to travel in the cabin on selected easyJet flights departing from the UK.
The airline’s new partnership aims to make it easier for these vital working animals to support life-saving missions.
For these specially trained dogs, travelling in the cabin can reduce the stress and potential risks associated with their transportation, ensuring they can be deployed quicker and more efficiently to disaster zones and critical incidents.
Trained in various specialist disciplines, these highly-trained dogs can locate high-risk and vulnerable missing people in diverse environments, such as mountains, open countryside, forests, urban areas, watercourses and disaster areas, both in the UK, Ireland and abroad.
The airline flies to over 120 destinations across Europe and North Africa from 21 UK airports. The new partnership will allow them to respond swiftly to any international crises, ensuring faster mobilisation of their USAR (urban search & rescue) dog teams to deliver critical aid where it’s needed most.
Ali Gayward, easyJet UK Country Manager, said,“easyJet is incredibly proud to be able to support Search & Rescue Dog Association Ireland North. As the largest airline in the UK and in Northern Ireland, it is a great privilege for us to be able to offer our network of over 560 routes from 21 UK airports, to help their teams deploy quickly to wherever they are needed most for their life-saving missions.”
Raph O’Connor, SARDA IN Training Officer, said,“As a volunteer-based organisation and registered charity, SARDA IN deeply values the critical support provided by easyJet. Their offer of free flights enables our dedicated handlers and highly trained USAR dogs to be rapidly deployed to international disaster zones. This invaluable assistance will ensure that we can reach those in urgent need without delay, allowing us to focus on saving lives, knowing that travel logistics are no longer a barrier.”
The emergency organisation’s search and rescue dogs are deployed by various bodies, including the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service, Mountain Rescue Teams, and the Gardai.
SARDA IN has provided specialist search and rescue services to disasters worldwide for more than 40 years.