'Amazing' pilot diverts plane over the Atlantic to save dog's life

An Air Canada pilot diverted a flight to save the life of a passenger's pet dog.

The flight from Tel Aviv to Toronto changed its course when the pilot realised that the little dog's life might be in danger.

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Simba, the seven-year-old French bulldog, was travelling in the cargo area of the plane, a compartment that is normally climate controlled. But the pilot noticed that there was something wrong with the heating system and there was a sudden drop in temperature which, if left unresolved, would probably have frozen the dog to death.

As planes cross the Atlantic the outside air temperature drops well below zero.

The pilot made the decision to divert the flight, stopping in Frankfurt to let the dog out.

The plane then carried on to Toronto, it's original destination. Simba was put onto another flight and later met up with his owner at Toronto's Pearson Airport.

The detour may have saved the dog's life but it cost Air Canada around $10,000 in extra fuel costs and delayed the plane's arrival in Toronto by 75 minutes.





But instead of receiving a backlash thanks to the delay, the pilot has been praised for his efforts in saving the dog, with many people taking to Twitter to express their appreciation.

The dog's owner, German Kontorovich, was equally appreciative of the pilot's actions, telling City News: "It's my dog, it's like my child. It's everything to me."

Phyl Durby, an aviation expert, agreed that the pilot had made the right decision in diverting the plane. He said: "The captain is responsible for all lives on board, whether human or K-9."

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