Kochi, Cochin International Airport has launched a pet export service, much to the delight of pet owners traveling abroad who cannot afford to leave their beloved animals behind.
On Thursday morning, a Lhasa Apso breed puppy named 'Luca' became the first pet to fly from Kochi to Dubai via Doha, a CIAL release said.
Pet cargo was managed by Qatar Airways.
Luca is the pet of Rajesh Sushilan and Kavita Rajesh, originally from Attingal, Thiruvananthapuram.
Rajesh handles business in Dubai.With this, Cochin Airport became the only airport in Kerala with permission to export pets abroad.
To support this service, CIAL has set up a 24-hour air-conditioned pet station, a special cargo section, veterinarian on call, a customs clearance center and a convenience center for persons accompanying pets for export .
Earlier, CIAL had authorization only for domestic departure and arrival of pets.
Now, with approval, pets can be transported as cargo in specially prepared cages to all foreign countries.
It added that efforts are also underway to obtain permission for direct import of pets from foreign countries.To facilitate this, a special 'animal quarantine' center is being set up.
Apart from the pet animal export facility, CIAL already has permission for export and import of fruits and plants.
To facilitate this, a 'Plant Quarantine' center is operational near the cargo section.
To avail this service one has to contact cargo handling agencies or airlines.
CIAL Managing Director S Suhas stressed the management's aim to equip Cochin Airport with the same standards of facilities found in leading airports in India.“We are trying to offer a comprehensive package to our passengers. As part of this, all passenger touch points have been automated and various value-added facilities have been installed. Implementation of the animal import facility is underway. Additionally, sophisticated security systems have also been installed, such as full body scanners that will be introduced soon, Suhas said.,
CIAL now has authorization from the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to import drugs and cosmetics, allowing stockists to import them and stock in large quantities.
This marks a significant change from previous limits, where only limited quantities could be imported through special permits.
On Thursday morning, a Lhasa Apso breed puppy named 'Luca' became the first pet to fly from Kochi to Dubai via Doha, a CIAL release said.
Pet cargo was managed by Qatar Airways.
Luca is the pet of Rajesh Sushilan and Kavita Rajesh, originally from Attingal, Thiruvananthapuram.
Rajesh handles business in Dubai.With this, Cochin Airport became the only airport in Kerala with permission to export pets abroad.
To support this service, CIAL has set up a 24-hour air-conditioned pet station, a special cargo section, veterinarian on call, a customs clearance center and a convenience center for persons accompanying pets for export .
Earlier, CIAL had authorization only for domestic departure and arrival of pets.
Now, with approval, pets can be transported as cargo in specially prepared cages to all foreign countries.
It added that efforts are also underway to obtain permission for direct import of pets from foreign countries.To facilitate this, a special 'animal quarantine' center is being set up.
Apart from the pet animal export facility, CIAL already has permission for export and import of fruits and plants.
To facilitate this, a 'Plant Quarantine' center is operational near the cargo section.
To avail this service one has to contact cargo handling agencies or airlines.
CIAL Managing Director S Suhas stressed the management's aim to equip Cochin Airport with the same standards of facilities found in leading airports in India.“We are trying to offer a comprehensive package to our passengers. As part of this, all passenger touch points have been automated and various value-added facilities have been installed. Implementation of the animal import facility is underway. Additionally, sophisticated security systems have also been installed, such as full body scanners that will be introduced soon, Suhas said.,
CIAL now has authorization from the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to import drugs and cosmetics, allowing stockists to import them and stock in large quantities.
This marks a significant change from previous limits, where only limited quantities could be imported through special permits.
