Airport workers have been filmed carelessly handling cages carrying cats and dogs at an airport in eastern China, prompting concerns over the treatment of animals during air travel.

Footage captured by a concerned traveller shows two employees in reflective vests handling pet carriers at Ningbo Lishe International Airport in Zhejiang province.

The cages were moved towards the workers on a conveyor belt after arriving on a China Southern Airlines flight on 21 August.

The workers can be seen placing the cages onto a baggage cart, with some apparently being thrown onto the platform. The impact causes the carriers to shake as the employees continue loading them onto the cart.

International air transport guidelines state that live animals should be handled only by appropriately trained and competent personnel. Precautions should also be taken to prevent animal containers from shifting or falling during transport.

Cats and dogs may experience motion sickness while travelling, which can cause nausea, vomiting, restlessness and other signs of distress.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) also stresses that live animals require careful handling to minimise stress and prevent injury, with their welfare taken into consideration throughout the journey.

Neither the airline nor airport management has commented on the incident.

However, none of the animals on the flight is believed to have been injured.