Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) has brought back its much-loved “Pawfect” initiative, a welcome addition for travellers looking for a little comfort before their flights.

Now, every Friday from 3 PM until Sunday 11 PM, passengers at Terminal 2 can take a breather and meet the airport’s team of emotional support dogs. The team is particularly trained to ease the stress that often comes with air travel.

The “Pawfect” programme, which was first launched before the pandemic, has returned with a team of nine furry friends—including a Golden Retriever, Maltese, rescued Husky, Shih Tzu, Lhasa Apso, and Labrador—ready to greet passengers. These dogs are specifically trained to sense and respond to emotions, offering comforting support to help take the edge off pre-flight jitters.

Mumbai Airport is the first one and currently the only airport in India to run a programme like this. Passengers passing through Terminal 2 can find the dogs stationed in the departures area, Domestic Level 3, and post-immigration sections, where they can take a few moments to enjoy the company of these gentle, four-legged “staff members”.

For passengers seeking a little more than just the usual airport experience, these friendly dogs provide a welcome reprieve every weekend, making a trip through one of India’s busiest airports that bit more enjoyable!