Shortly after 19:30 on Wednesday evening, the arrivals area of Eleftherios Venizelos Airport filled with scenes rarely witnessed: dozens of companion animals, dogs and cats, arrived alongside their Greek owners, completing an unprecedented repatriation operation from the Middle East.
This was the first special flight organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aiming to safely return not only citizens but also the four-legged members of their families. The sight of owners embracing their pets with relief captured the emotional intensity of the moment, following days of anxiety in a region marked by heightened tensions.
“A repatriation flight for Greeks with their companion animals was carried out by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the first time. Our animals are not luggage; they are members of our family, and today the Greek government is making that a reality,” said Nikos Chrysakis, Special Secretary for Animal Protection at the Ministry of the Interior. As he noted, clear protocols have now been established for managing similar operations in the future.
Passengers’ testimonies reflect both the difficulty of the situation and their determination not to abandon their animals. “We had a very good group, we gave it 100%, we completed the paperwork for the animals in no time so we could return to our homeland with our little ones, they are part of our lives, we couldn’t leave them behind,” said a woman who returned from Abu Dhabi.
Other passengers spoke of the relief they now feel, away from danger. “We are extremely happy and grateful. For us, they are not just pets; they are members of our family,” said one owner, while a man noted: “There are missiles and drones there, so here we feel safer. I don’t think any other country has carried out such a repatriation.”
Despite bureaucratic difficulties and demanding procedures, participants emphasised the coordination of the Greek authorities and the decisive contribution of the embassy. “A big thank you, we achieved the impossible,” said one of the owners.
This operation marks not only a successful repatriation mission, but also a shift in perception: that companion animals are not merely accompanying elements of a journey, but an integral part of the family.
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