10,000 mammals promise: inside the axis of the living animals at Brussels Airport
In 2020, Brussels Airport opened the first center in Europe to fulfill the new European standards for animal welfare in air transport: Animal Care and Inspection Center. Since then, nearly 10,000 mammals have passed through ACIC doors. Each month, the center hosts a group of dogs, cats, competition horses and strange types. Not to mention countless insects, fish and birds. The center, the only center of its kind, has become a standard for specialized logistics services and animal welfare.
Every day, about 70,000 passengers travel via Brussels Airport. But besides this familiar traffic, another type of traveler-four legs, feather or hoof-can be found on their way to the airport. While some of these animals can travel in the cabin with their owners, others are allowed only to travel to wait and under specific circumstances. Other passengers are looking for temporary accommodations for their pets while they are far away. To meet these needs, Brussels Airport opened in 2020 the transportation center in the latest model, animal welfare and inspection center, designed to ensure the safety of all animals in transportation or departure.
Since its inception, this center, which has an area of 2000 square meters, has welcomed 5500 dogs, 800 cats, and 1600 hp, along with a full range of farm animals and even exotic animals. Add up to nearly 10,000 mammals. This does not count all fish, reptiles and birds that also pass through ACIC.
The welfare of the animal is a major axis
ACIC is designed to ensure animal transport in safe and stress -free conditions, and ACIC is characterized by modern facilities, including physically separate import/export areas, a veterinary laboratory, a mobile group, and particularly air -conditioned comfort. Each accommodation area contains a natural light and is equipped with a unique central system to adjust light, temperature and ventilation according to the needs specified for each type – birds, reptiles, strategies, fish, etc. There is also a garden area in the open air for our four -legged friends. Since 2022, the center has obtained an iATA CEV Live Animals, a guarantee of quality and compliance with international standards.
“ACIC embodies our commitment to animal luxury and operational excellence. Thanks to this center, Brussels Airport has become a major center in the European Union for the Transport of Living animals, whether it is pets, cattle or alien animals. We are proud to celebrate these five successful years with our partners and our teams,” Stuck Arnoud Vest, CEO of Brussels Airport.
ACIC’s success is also due to the passionate efforts of about ten DNATA professionals, one of our partners, who work closely with airlines, ground treatments and the FASFC. ACIC hosts the FASFC border monitoring function, which must always inspect when living animals are imported or exported to ensure compliance with European public health provisions.
Wonderful stories
While ACIC cares a lot with each animal, some experiments stand out for the center’s teams. The outstanding points over the past five years include dealing with river mares, Snow Leopards and hammerhead sharks, as well as welcoming 489 alpacas in one.
Recently, ACIC has also played a major role during the departure of the three Pandas Tian Bao team, Bao Di and Bao Mei to China, as well as three golden monkeys, Lu, Juan Juan and Lio Yun. The center’s experience was welcomed by Pairi Daiza Animal Park.
“Animal welfare cannot be penetrated. Thanks to the commitment of Brussels Airport and ACIC, the giant panda, the porn, and more recently, the golden monkeys Lu, Juan Juan, and Leo Yun, enjoy the basic animals when they resigned or disintegrated at every stage of the transportation stage to the airport. The important. Stuck Puria Maahlouji, member of the DAIZA animal management team.
