Avianca Cargo has been awarded the IATA CEIV Live Animals certification.

This new validation adds to the airline’s previous CEIV certificates (Fresh, Pharma, and Lithium Batteries), making it the only airline in the Americas to achieve all four certifications.

Obtaining this latest certificate means that Avianca Cargo provides the best solutions and guarantees professional, careful, and empathetic treatment of animals.

Air transportation of live animals is considered one of the most expedient, as it presents challenges in terms of the processes and details carried out, such as ensuring that these are the best to guarantee professional, careful, and compassionate treatment so that the animals have the best experience.

This is why the requirements and protocols necessary for their transportation have been met by each participant in the Avianca Cargo supply chain, to ensure the safety and welfare of animals such as dogs, cats, chickens, horses, among others, during air transport.

Leonel Ortiz, transformation, and innovation director at Avianca Cargo, said: “It is a pride to be able to obtain, in a record time of three months, a fourth IATA seal under the diligence of safe and responsible transportation of live animals, thanks to infrastructure improvements at the Miami station and the availability of our network for transportation.

“We will continue working with motivation and commitment to remain a benchmark of quality and the best partner for our customers.”

Brendan Sullivan, IATA’s global head of cargo, said: “Handling and transporting live animals is a complex operation given each species has its own specific handling requirements. Adding CEIV Live Animals to its CEIV Fresh, CEIV Pharma and CEIV Lithium Batteries certification means Avianca Cargo is operating within a validated framework that meets regulatory requirements.

“We congratulate the airline on becoming one of the first airlines in the Americas to complete the suite of CEIV certifications. Avianca Cargo’s customers can have the confidence that their special cargo will be delivered safely and in top condition.”