Page 11 - The STAT Trade Times August 2024 for Website

Challenges ahead
Harding of ATA also raised routing limita-
tions as one of the concerns they deal with
along with creating the ideal environment
and challenges in ground handling.
“As an association, we want to try to
bring all of the stakeholders together to do
more education to let the industry solve
some of the concerns that we see. We
apply soft pressure to airlines to make sure
There has been that they're moving as many commodities
as possible,” he said.
an increase in the For instance, in a July 30, 2024, LinkedIn
article published by Equitrans Logistics,
movement of exotic and the company explains how the equine
endangered species, industry has been facing challenges due
to London Heathrow Airport tightening
which requires a high restrictions and limiting operations for
cargo flights.
level of expertise “Shipping horses requires specialised
and care. equipment and comfort, and delays or
longer travel time can lead to stress for
the animals. With limited freighter options
David Robson in the UK horse shipping agents such as
Equitrans Logistics Equitrans find it increasingly difficult to op-
erate efficiently. The delays and logistical
For instance, Equitrans Logistics ensures care. To support this, we are seeing more challenges linked with transporting horses
the safety and welfare of animals by having widespread adoption of advanced monitor- have raised concerns about animal welfare
their Equitrans grooms and attendants ac- ing technology, such as IoT devices that and performance, as horses may not arrive
company all their shipments from stable to allow us to track real-time conditions like in optimal condition for races, polo, show
stable and for larger shipments they always temperature and location,” he said. jumping or breeding purposes,” it reads.
have a veterinarian accompany the horses. “Additionally, many stakeholders are There are many other challenges that
“We also place a strong emphasis on investing in specialised animal care teams ATA is trying to address in live animal
training our personnel to understand and and facilities at key airports to ensure that transportation and, in fact, Harding calls
meet the specific needs of different species, animals are well-cared for during layovers the ground handlers the most inconsistent
which is crucial for ensuring their safety and and transits. We're also optimising our piece of air transport.
comfort throughout the flight,” he said. operations by using shorter, more direct “Because they have the greatest influence
Majeres also said that proper training of transit routes and reducing loading times on the shipments from when it is handed
personnel involved in the handling of live to minimise any potential stress for the to them, till it gets palletised, till it gets onto
animals is crucial which includes under- animals,” he added. the plane, till it gets loaded off the plane.
standing the specific needs and behaviours Many air cargo stakeholders from airports I've personally seen welfare issues like ani-
of different species and knowing how to to airlines and shipping agents are continu- mals being left outside when they should
handle them safely. ously finding improvements as the live be in a covered environment or, they are left
animals’ market grows by air. in a hot environment when they should be
Raising the bar Robson said, “This includes providing in somewhere cooler. It could be documen-
The training of people handling live better loading and transit facilities for live tation issues that aren't handled correctly. It
animals is crucial not just because of the animals and horses at airports, veterinarian could be labelling issues that aren't handled
expertise required but also because of the checks on animals before being exported correctly. It could be a forklift not handled
evolving nature of the market, regula- if they have travelled up by road, ensur- correctly and damages a crate, which be-
tions and new challenges coming in. For ing the animals can rest at airport facilities comes a biosecurity issue,” he said.
instance, Robson reported that recently, before export, improving loading and While there are many possibilities for
they have observed a significant shift to- offloading facilities.” mistakes, the transportation of animals
wards innovation and specialization in the “Many airlines optimise their flight by air is evolving. Stakeholders are
transport of live animals by air. schedules to minimise layovers and transit committed to providing a better life for
“There has been an increase in the move- times by diversions, providing more direct animals in transit, ensuring they always
ment of exotic and endangered species, routes that shorten the overall journey,” have ideal environmental conditions and
which requires a high level of expertise and he added. are handled with care. 

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