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          look at the figures by air tonnages of com-  have layover farms or transit farms, and if   live animals. These vary from species to
          mercial livestock, it is down by 190%.”  there are delays, you've got the ability to   species, but they include re-oxygenation,
            Vande Capelle explained how volatile   house whichever respective animal you   stabling, and dedicated processes for col-
          prices were another immense challenge   have at that farm. It's fairly easy when you're   lection and kennelling.”
          that emerged due to the pandemic   talking about cattle, pigs or horses because
          continuing its firm grip on the live animal   there's usually contingency farms, as we   Precious cargo
          transport sector. “The other challenge   would call them in most places. There are   Compounding these problems is another
          was the finances; just like in the cargo   also some airports where you have the   challenge of high mortality rates when
          industry in general, air freight on most   luxury of having animal storage. So if you   it comes to young chicks or perishables
          destinations increased enormously and   consider Luxembourg as an example, they   like fish.
          sometimes unexpectedly. This is still hard   can house anywhere from one horse up to   O’Grady said Etihad Cargo follows robust
          to explain to customers and trickled into   90 sometimes. So if there is a delay, you've   processes in the transportation of all spe-
          their business.”                  got someplace to use.”           cies, including fish and poultry. “We ensure
                                             xpounding the regulatory mechanisms   the conditions we provide meet the unique
          Geopolitical impacts              of the sector, he said, “There are regula-  needs of every animal we transport. To
          On quizzing Vande Capelle about the   tions, particularly in the European Union,   further ensure the safety of animals, we
          Russia-Ukraine war and the ripple effect   they have ground transport regulations   also embargo the transportation of certain
          on the live animal transport sector, he   and transit times that we as ground   animals during the summer months due to
          said, “The main impact here is the gigantic   transport and as an airline or acting as   the high temperatures recorded at our Abu
          increase in fuel prices until today still.  On   an agent for an airline need to adhere to.   Dhabi hub.”
          the other hand, since Russia and Ukraine   For example, let's say for livestock, you   He added that in case of inflight distur-
          are not the biggest countries in the world   will never want to exceed 20 hours as a   bances, aircraft were diverted to the nearest
          when it comes to horse breeding and trade,   general rule.”        airport. “In the very rare event that there is
          the direct impact is minimal as not so many   ’Grady added that in light of flight   an in-flight animal disturbance, the aircraft
          horses are flown to or from those countries.”  delays, cancellations or re-routings, Etihad   may need to divert to a nearby airport,
            About how flight delays and re-routings   Cargo ensured that a contingency plan   where local authorities will be notified of
          impact live animal cargo, McMullen said it   was in place for all live animals. “To ensure   the situation ahead of arrival. On freighter
          all depended on which part of the logistics   the safe transportation of all species,   flights, grooms always travel with larger
                  chain the problem occurred. “If   Etihad Cargo has robust contingency   animals, so there are qualified staff on board
                           you would usually   plans, processes and measures in place for   the flight to handle any disturbances.”








































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