TAP cancels flight over assistance dog dispute
Following widespread media attention and government intervention, TAP and the family reached an agreement.
A TAP Air Portugal flight from Rio de Janeiro to Lisbon was cancelled on Saturday after the airline refused to allow an emotional support dog to travel in the cabin, despite a court order.
The dog, Teddy, a 35-kilogram Labrador retriever, provides assistance to Alice, a 12-year-old autistic girl who had already been in Lisbon for over a month waiting for her support animal.
The incident escalated when TAP declined to honor a Brazilian judicial order that permitted Tedy to fly in the cabin, accompanied by Alice’s older sister, Hayanne.
The airline insisted the transport would violate its flight operations manual, claiming the dog lacked the required certification and that the passenger needing assistance was not onboard.
Instead, TAP offered to transport the animal in the cargo hold, a suggestion the family refused.
Federal Police intervened at Galeão International Airport, halting the boarding process and fining a TAP manager for defying the court order.
The flight, which had 298 passengers, was ultimately grounded.
TAP later issued a statement saying the judicial mandate “violated aviation safety regulations” and that its “number one priority is the safety of passengers and crew.”
Financial consequences
The cancellation resulted in logistical and financial consequences for TAP.
The airline was forced to provide overnight accommodation and alternative flights for affected passengers, though it has not disclosed the full cost.
Some travelers were rescheduled on the next available flight, which departed five hours later, early Sunday morning.
Reactions
The controversy sparked strong reactions in both Portugal and Brazil.
The Portuguese political party PAN (People–Animals–Nature) filed a request in Parliament demanding explanations from the government, criticizing TAP’s actions as a failure to uphold the rights and wellbeing of a child with special needs.
“It is unacceptable to jeopardize the health of a 12-year-old child with autism whose support animal was medically and legally authorized,” said party spokesperson Inês de Sousa Real.
The family claims that since being separated, both Alice and Tedy have suffered, the girl has experienced heightened anxiety, and the dog has reportedly lost five kilograms due to stress.
Speaking to Brazilian media outlet G1, Hayanne said, “My sister is unwell and stressed. This dog is not a pet, it’s her emotional stability.”
Agreement
Following widespread media attention and government intervention, TAP and the family reached an agreement.
On Friday, May 30, Tedy will be allowed to fly to Lisbon in the cabin, accompanied by a professional trainer who will ensure compliance with TAP’s safety protocols.
This is the second time TAP blocked the dog from flying.
The first was on April 8, when the family initially moved to Portugal. After being denied boarding, the family pursued legal action, resulting in a court order issued on May 16 to allow Tedy’s travel.
According to TAP’s official pet travel policy, emotional support animals may be allowed in the cabin, provided they meet specific criteria, including certification from a recognized training institution.
The airline claims Tedy did not meet these requirements, while the family argues that all necessary documentation was in place.
The International Civil Aviation Organization does not regulate the transport of emotional support animals, leaving it to individual airlines to define policies, a grey area now under renewed scrutiny due to this case.
Two years of training with an international certified trainer is not an emotional support dog”it’s a “medical support dog”.