04/12/2018

Airline Group Sets Animal-handling Standards

IATA is taking steps to ensure live animals are safer when on flights

After a dog died in an overhead bin on a United Airlines flight last month, travelers were shocked and angry.  Meanwhile, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) was already working on a certification program that it says will help prevent exactly that kind of incident.

Last week, IATA announced it would extend its Center of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) program, which supports carriers in meeting standards for transporting air cargo, to the safe transport of live animals. The program will certify airlines that meet certain baseline standards for handling animals in the air.

“Last year, millions of animals travelled safely and securely by air. Animal owners and shippers rely heavily on airlines to carry their 'precious cargo',” said Nick Careen, IATA’s senior vice president of airport, passenger, cargo and security, in a news release. “As an industry, we have a duty of care to ensure that standards and best practices are in place around the world to protect the welfare of these animals.”

Please select this link to read the complete article from Associations Now.