Qatar Airways Cargo debuts the world’s largest air cargo animal facility at its Doha hub.
Qatar Airways Cargo has inaugurated the world’s largest air cargo animal facility at its Doha hub to address the escalating volumes of animals passing through the airport. Spanning 5,260 square meters, the new facility surpasses its predecessor by 1,260 square meters. It boasts 140 dog kennels, 40 cat kennels, and 24 horse stables across four distinct zones, along with designated areas for various animals such as day-old chicks, birds, fish, reptiles, and exotic species.
Unlike conventional airport animal facilities, this facility primarily caters to transit shipments, featuring dedicated rooms for transit and import/export shipments with differing customs formalities. Additionally, there’s a spacious area equipped for handling cattle, complete with veterinary examination pens and air-conditioning to facilitate daytime cattle charters.
In response to rising demand and fleet expansion, Qatar Airways Cargo initiated plans for the new facility in 2020. Horse transport, in particular, has witnessed increased demand due to the proliferation of global events and rising ownership. Last year alone, the airline transported 550,000 animals, including 10,000 horses.
To ensure a relaxed environment for animals during transit, Qatar Airways Cargo introduced a series of enhancements to its live animal transport service. These include an online kennel size calculator, refined customer service procedures, digitalized IATA Live Animal Regulations (LAR) training, and a pet card service offering updates and photos of pets during transit.
Mark Drusch, Chief Officer Cargo at Qatar Airways Cargo, described the new facility as remarkable, underscoring the airline’s commitment to advocating for animal welfare globally. He emphasised the facility’s design aimed at minimising stress during animal transportation, reflecting the company’s dedication to innovation and industry leadership.
