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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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