a similar cat of a lower weight" in Moscow.

A day later Mr Galin returned to the airport with the smaller "cat double", which passed the weight limit test at the check-in desk.

Mr Galin then gave the smaller cat back to its owners at the airport before boarding the plane to Vladivostok with Viktor.

His mistake, it seems, was posting on Facebook about the "operation to replace the fat cat Viktor". A picture on his public profile shows Viktor sitting on the plane next to a glass of sparkling wine.

The post drew the attention of Aeroflot, prompting it to launch an investigation that confirmed the cat swap on CCTV.

In another post, Mr Galin appeared to accept his punishment with good humour . He shared a picture of Viktor as aleast once annually, to inspect and review their records, to amend an incorrect record, and to consent to disclosure (with exceptions). Students have the right to see everything in their educational records, except, information about other students, financial records of parents, and confidential letters of recommendation if they waived their right of access.

Acts Amending FERPA

Major Acts that Amend FERPA include the following:

The USA Patriot Act

Section 507 of the USA PATRIOT ACT amends FERPA by permitting educational agencies and institutions to disclose - without the consent or knowledge of the student or parent- personally identifiable information from the student's education records to the Attorney General of the United States or to his designee in response to an ex parte order in connection with the investigation or prosecution of terrorism