The Greek government has gone the extra mile to ensure no family members were left behind organising a special evacuation flight from the United Arab Emirates for citizens and their beloved pets.
As tensions escalated in the region following military actions involving Israel, the United States, and Iran, thousands of travellers found themselves stranded amid widespread airspace closures.
Recognising the unique challenges of travelling with animals, Greek authorities arranged a specially chartered flight to help citizens return home safely with their four-legged companions by their side.
The flight landed in Athens on Wednesday, carrying more than 100 passengers along with their pets, marking a significant effort to simplify what is often a complex and stressful international travel process for animal owners.
“Our pets are not luggage, they are part of our families,” said Nikos Chrysakis, Special Secretary for the Protection of Companion Animals.
Air travel across the region has been heavily disrupted, with countries like Qatar and the UAE repeatedly closing their airspace during weeks of heightened conflict. For many expatriates particularly those in hubs like Abu Dhabi and Dubai leaving the region with pets proved especially difficult.
But the arrival in Athens brought scenes of relief and joy, as families reunited not only with loved ones but also with their animals. Pets emerged from carriers to the comfort of familiar arms after a stressful journey.
One returning passenger, Danai Koukoulomati, described the experience of travelling with her cat as extremely challenging, while another said being reunited in Greece with her dog felt “absolutely fantastic.”
Officials confirmed that the coordinated effort between government departments took several days of planning, with a clear goal: ensuring both people and their pets could return home safely together.
In a time of uncertainty, the mission has been widely praised as a compassionate reminder that for many, family includes every member no matter how many legs they have.