Stressed about flying? Pat a dog before you fly at Istanbul Airport

Passengers play with Alita before they catch their flight out of Istanbul Airport – an interaction that will hopefully relieve some of the stresses of travelling. — AFP

Six-year-old Kuki and one-and-a-half-year-old Alita recently joined the staff of Istanbul Airport in Turkiye – one of the busiest in the world – with a mission to provide solace for stressed travellers.

At international departures just before passport control, the two dogs welcome passengers: some who are in a hurry, some feeling the tug of anxiety and some hanging around to say goodbye to loved ones.