Qatar Airways Cargo has opened a state-of-the-art world-scale Animal Centre, which significantly enhances the handling capacity of animals arriving in or transiting through Doha’s Hamad International Airport.

The 5,260 sq m fully temperature controlled facility is equipped with many cutting-edge features and manned by trained veterinary staff, said Mark Drusch, chief officer (Cargo) at Qatar Airways.

The facility has separate rooms for birds, live fish, reptiles and animals loaded on unit load devices (ULDs).

The animal centre has 140 dog kennels and 40 cat kennels.

It has 24-horse stables distributed in four zones with separate airflows for proper segregation.

Custom spaces have been designed for day-old chicks, birds, fish, reptiles and exotic animals, Drusch said.

The facility has a “modern” attendant lounge for specialists accompanying animals, providing a comfortable living space within the animal centre.

Animal Centre handling features include airside and landside interfaces with multiple docks for efficient operations. It is equipped with a sophisticated HVAC system for maintaining optimal air quality.

Qatar Airways Cargo said it has introduced “significant enhancements” to its live animal transport services.

These include kennel calculator tool, streamlined customer service, digitalised IATA Live Animals Regulation (LAR) training and pet card service.

Kennel calculator tool is an innovative online resource for determining the ideal kennel size, ensures comfort and compliance with IATA LAR standards.

Under pet card service, updates and photos of pets are shared during transit, offering a “personal touch, peace of mind and enhancing customer experience.”

Pets have a minimum transit time of 180 minutes in Doha. All other animals have a minimum transit time of 90 minutes.

Qatar Airways freighters have enough room for accompanying attendants. Some freighters are able to accommodate up to 11 attendants for specialised movements.

The airline uses dedicated pet vans to transport them from the aircraft to its state-of-the-art animal centre.

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“We are the world’s top cargo carrier,” Drusch told Gulf Times.

“At Qatar Airways Cargo, we recognise our responsibility extends far beyond the mere transportation of animals. We are committed to advocating for their welfare globally, ensuring our operations respect and contribute positively to their overall well-being.

“This holistic approach to animal care is a fundamental part of our ethos, driving us to innovate and lead in the industry. With our new Animal Centre and service enhancements, we are not just setting new standards for animal transport, we are actively working towards a future, where every aspect of our operations reflect a deep respect for animal welfare, embodying our commitment to making a meaningful difference in their lives.”