IATA awards Etihad Cargo CEIV for live animals

UAE national carrier Etihad has become the first Middle Eastern airline to hold IATA’s triology of air cargo certifications: CEIV Live Animals, CEIV Fresh, and CEIV Pharma.

Etihad Aviation Group’s cargo and logistics arm was awarded IATA’s Centre of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) for live animals following an IATA-led assessment of Etihad Cargo’s dedicated LiveAnimals product for animal transportation and SkyStables equine transportation product – in addition to its logistics’ audit checklist to ensure compliance with standards, requirements and live animals regulations.

Etihad Cargo is the third carrier globally to hold IATA’s CEIV Live Animals, CEIV Fresh, and CEIV Pharma certifications.

Martin Drew, Senior Vice President Sales & Cargo, Etihad Aviation Group, said: “The transportation of live animals requires specific conditions and the CEIV certification further underlines Etihad Cargo’s experience and commitment to animal welfare and safe transportation. Etihad Cargo is proud to have secured certification for its LiveAnimals and SkyStables products. This recognition further endorses the industry-leading service we provide global customers.”

Brendan Sullivan, IATA’s Global Head of Cargo, said: “Handling and transporting live animals is challenging. Each type of animal has its own specific requirements. Achieving CEIV Live Animals certification means Etihad Cargo’s customers can benefit from extra assurance that their precious cargo is in safe hands. We congratulate the airline on becoming the first in the Middle East to complete the suite of CEIV certifications – Pharma, Fresh and Live Animals.”

Etihad Cargo is a signatory of the Buckingham Palace Declaration against the illegal trade of wildlife. The key benefits of the CEIV Live Animals certification include improving animal welfare and safety through appropriate quality and risk management and enhancing standardisation and professionalism in the handling and transportation of live animals in a multimodal environment.