A cat named Mika escaped from its secure travel carrier at Larnaca airport on Thursday whilst being loaded onto an Athens-bound flight.
The incident occurred on 11 September as the aircraft was preparing for departure, with airline staff informing the cat’s owners that their pet had escaped and showing them the empty carrier.
Airport personnel conducted a 10-minute search in the runway area where the cat was seen running but were unable to locate the animal and did not permit the owners to assist in the search efforts.
Airport staff conduct brief search without success
The cat had been travelling in a sturdy IATA-approved plastic carrier that had passed pre-departure security checks. The owners had taken additional precautionary measures, securing the carrier with cable ties and tape to prevent any possibility of it opening during transport.
Airport staff indicated to the owners the direction the cat had fled within the airport’s runway area, but the brief search proved unsuccessful.
The Movement of Ecologists – Citizens’ Cooperation animal action team was contacted by Mika’s owners following the incident at Larnaca International Airport.
Animal rights group appeals for help finding missing pet
Anthi Mouzouri, coordinator of the Movement of Ecologists’ animal action team, called for assistance from all involved parties to locate the missing cat.
“We ask all those involved for their help in finding Mika or to contact an animal welfare organisation to help find her and return her to her guardians,” Mouzouri said.
“We do not want to believe that this is Mika’s tragic end and that an intensive effort will be made to find her. The guardians are available to return from Athens and help in finding her”.
Owners secured carrier with additional ties before travel
The escape has raised questions about responsibility for pet transportation safety at the airport, with the animal rights group describing the incident as “unacceptable and extremely tragic”.
The owners are appealing for anyone with information to contact them at telephone numbers 97553774 (Cyprus), 00306982876127 (Greece), or 00306983528186 (Greece).
