Why route planning is critical for live animals
Live animal shipments are time-sensitive in a way that general cargo is not. A poorly planned route with a long layover at an unsuitable hub or an unnecessary second connection creates welfare risk and compliance exposure.
Route planning considerations
- Total journey time from origin to destination
- Number of connections and layover duration at each hub
- Transit hub animal handling facilities and temperature conditions
- Seasonal temperature restrictions at specific airports
- Airline acceptance at each leg of the journey
- Import country requirements that affect routing choices
- Interline restrictions between carriers
The shortest route is not always the best
A well-managed two-stop routing via a hub with dedicated animal facilities may be better than a direct flight with poor animal handling. We evaluate every factor before recommending a route.