According to carriers, they support the government's plans to make animal transportation safer. However, they oppose detailed inspection of such cargo and providing a monthly report to the Department of Transportation on incidents resulting in loss, injury, or death of pets. According to animal advocates, reports are necessary at least so that customers have an idea of the conditions created for animals. Currently, there are no official data on cases of animal death or injury. Airlines dispute the widely cited figure of five thousand deaths annually.
Representatives of major airlines believe that the new rules are difficult to implement and require large costs. According to estimates by Delta Air Lines specialists, the innovations would cost about one million dollars annually. In addition, companies do not have trained specialists for inspecting animals. If the new rules are nevertheless introduced, many carriers will have to stop transporting pets for financial reasons, reports Reuters.