Qatar Airways has ramped up its live animal handling facilities, enabling the airline to handle an increasing number of animals flying as cargo on its flights.
The number of animals Qatar Airways has transported is increasing each year. Last year the airline transported more than 550 000 animals and this includes 9500 horses.
FLYING LIVE ANIMALS
Airlines are often involved in flying live animals on their aircraft. Flying an animal – be it a pet or a wild animal – is quite a task, involving intensive organisation and compliance.
That said, once the animals are in the airline’s care, owners and guardians want to be sure that their animals will arrive safely at the destination.
QATAR AIRWAYS LIVE ANIMAL HANDLING
Qatar Airways has recently opened a state-of-the-art animal centre to facilitate the carriage of live animals.
The launch of this new animal centre is a milestone for Qatar Airways, which follows a holistic approach to animal care and animal welfare.
The airline is dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the lives of all animals that it carries.
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REVAMPED LIVE ANIMAL CENTRE
Qatar Airways’ world-class animal centre is the largest and newest in the world. It greatly enhances the experience for all animals arriving in or transiting through Hamad International Airport in Doha.
The 5,260 sqm facility is equipped with many cutting-edge features, including:
– A modern “Groom’s Room” attendant lounge for specialists accompanying animals, providing a comfortable living space within the animal centre.
– Fully temperature-controlled facility.
– Manned by trained veterinary staff.
– Kennel Capacity: 140 dog kennels and 40 cat kennels.
– Horse Stables: 24 stables distributed in 4 zones with separate airflows for proper segregation.
– Separate rooms for birds, live fish, reptiles, day-old chicks and animals loaded on unit load devices (ULD).
– Airside interface with 5 truck docks and 6 dolly docks (for horses and livestock).
– 3 landside truck interfaces for horses, livestock and other animals.
– Capacity to accommodate full freighters of sheep or cattle at the centre with adequate HVAC system to manage air quality for proper handling.
– Induction of up to 47 unit load devices (ULD) simultaneously.
– 5 ULD rooms for built pallets, including 1 room dedicated to pallet build-and-break activities.
QATAR AIRWAYS OFFERS UTMOST CARE FOR LIVE ANIMALS
Qatar Airways has a dedicated Live Animals team with experienced vets onsite at its new animal facility.
Its animal centre is not just a standard location to keep animals.
Additional elements such as providing extra comfort and a more relaxed atmosphere benefit live animals in Qatar Airways’ care.
QATAR AIRWAYS EXCLUSIVE PET CARD
To ensure peace of mind for pet owners Qatar Airways offers an exclusive pet card, where the carrier informs customers how their pet is doing on the journey.
In addition, it will provide a photo of the animal in Qatar’s care. This helps to assure customers of their pet’s well-being.
However, this service is only for pet cats and dogs that are connecting via Doha.
This means that pet owners can rest assured that their animals will arrive at their destination in a happy and healthy state.
