Larnaca airport deploys dogs to calm nervous flyers

Dogs are to be stationed in the departure lounge at Larnaca airport with the aim of both calming nervous flyers and encouraging adoptions from dog shelters, Cyprus’ airports’ operator Hermes Airports announced on Monday.

The dogs are “specially trained” and will be stationed at the airport for one two-hour period per week for the next two months, with passengers afforded the opportunity to pet them.

Hermes said the dogs’ deployment will both “facilitate relaxation for stressed passengers prior to their flights” and “encourage adoptions from dog shelters”.

The programme has been given the name “Preboarding Zen mode”, and, according to Hermes, has been launched “after weeks of preparation and training”.

During that training, they said, “the dogs were specially trained to handle an environment such as the airport”.

“All dogs participating in the programme are trained to comfort people and are accompanied by trainers, ensuring the interactions are safe for everyone,” they said.