Passengers

Handling of live animals for transportation by air is subject to conditions and standards contained in regular annual publication, issued by International Air Transport Association-IATA, named Live Animals Regulations, as well as closer explanations, having regards to handling of aircrafts, passengers, cargo and mail-GOM (Ground Operation Manual), prescribed by each airline individually.

Regulations on air cargo transportation are applicable to transportation of live animals. Animals have the status of special cargo (AVI), i.e. they have the same treatment as, for instance dangerous goods (DGR), perishable cargo (PER), valuable cargo (VAL) etc.

Depending on size and number of animals, they can be transported in airliner’s trunk or, in cases of large animals, in special cargo aircrafts. Beside aircraft type, factors that should be considered are temperature conditions at departing place, during flight and at arrival destination, as well as weather there is accompanying person with the animal.

General conditions applicable on acceptance of animals for dispatching by airplane are following:
1. Animal Health Condition: Animals to be sent on flight must not show the smallest symptom of illness and they have to be well fed and watered. The sender of an animal is obliged to inform if the animal is pregnant. Pregnant mammals will not be accepted for transportation, except when there is a special veterinary certificate proving that the animal is capable to be transported and there is no obvious risk of delivery during transportation. Animals not expected to arrive alive to determined place of arrival will not be accepted for transportation.
2. Packing: Packing for animals must be clear and waterproof. It must disable escape or contact between animals and provide secure manipulation during transportation. The sign ‘’Live Animal’’ must be attached on the outer side of cage, as well as “This side up” label. In cases when venomous or unpleasantly smelling animals are in containers the label with words “Poisonous” must be attached.
3. Food and additional items: Additional items, such as food, following the consignment should be included in total weight charges. Should they be sent as an individual colli, they must be assigned as a part of the consignment.
4. Reservations: It is necessary to provide confirmation of reservation for space at flight and for possible connected flights of other airlines up to the determined place of arrival.
5. Documentation: Generally for every consignment of live animals Health documents and Shipper’s Certificate are necessary.

IMPORTANT: Immediately before preparation of live animals for air transportation, consigner is obliged to obtain information about possibility of providing export licences, veterinary health certificate, quarantine, transit/transfer formalities and possible prohibitions or restrictions, from representatives of airline, as well as from representatives of the embassy of the country where animal is travelling to.

Consignments of live animals are to be announced to the authorities of the country where animal is travelling to and to representative of the airline at the destination. Consigner is obliged to send live animals strictly from the airport which has custom and veterinary services and to check working hours of those services on weekdays and holidays.

STORAGE AND DISPATCH OF ANIMALS ON TRANSPORTATION BY AIR

In case of Belgrade “Nikola Tesla” Airport, live animals are sent to Cargo-custom warehouse, on point for Reception of goods for exportation. Cargo-custom warehouse has special room for storage of small live animals with fulfilled conditions of regulation of temperature and hygiene.

In case the consigner travels on the same flight, an animal (depending on weight and size) can be submitted at the check-in desk where custom and veterinary formalities are also done. In this case transportation should be announced and paid with the ticket.

Some airlines allow some kinds of pets (cats, dogs, fur animals) up to certain weight (usually 5-7kg) to be transported in passenger cabin in a proper cage.

On Belgrade “Nikola Tesla” Airport there is Border veterinary ambulance- Border pass Belgrade “Nikola Tesla” Airport, which is a part of Directory of veterinary science at Ministry of agriculture, forestry and water management of Republic of Serbia.

Consigner of live animal is obliged to provide the following before sending an animal on flight:
- Identity card or passport of the exporter
- Statement on animal regularity
- Veterinary certificate from municipal veterinary inspector
- Documents on vaccination
- Package (cage)
- Providing of border veterinary inspector for animal examination

Expenses of air transportation are charged by airline which can also provide a package (cage). Beside transportation expenses, consigner is also charged for veterinary examination, storage and custom expenses.

Additional information regarding conditions on animal transportation by air are available at chosen airline, competent Directory of veterinary science at Ministry of agriculture, forestry and water management of Republic of Serbia and Diplomatic and consular department of the state of destination.