Pets provide passport to increased charter business

In times of economic downturn it is differentials that count. Some charter brokers and operators are generating additional business and fostering client loyalty by focusing on looking after pets. Charter Broker examines a growing global trend to put pets as well as clients first and focuses on the impact of the UK PETS regulations on domestic and foreign owners.

Private charter operators and brokers worldwide from Australia to the United States and from Japan to the Channel Islands are making special business boosting arrangements to look after pets.

Ian Button, gm of Australia's Independent Aviation, says: "One major group of clients are school teachers who work at schools in remote locations and need an aircraft charter to get away for the holidays - they often take their pets with them."

Ross Gays of WorldCare Pet Transport, which has two offices in the US in New York and Connecticut, and other bases in Brazil, Japan, China and the UK, says there are good reasons why pets provide a growth sector for competent specialists in both private and commercial aviation. In today's global market, people and pets are faced with an ever increasing mountain of bureaucracy, red tape, forms, procedures, tests, permits, logistics and transport restrictions.

The length of time that a pet can be quarantined varies from 14 days for Japan to 183 days for Malta and the UK. While Guam, Norway and Sweden mandate 120 days, and Iceland 56 days, many other countries, including Hawaii, Australia, Hong Kong, Ireland, New Zealand and Singapore elect for 30 days.

Gays says WorldCare moves pets between destinations all around the world and they may range in shape and size from a Californian King Snake to a Red Cheeked Water Turtle or from a hamster to a horse. "We have some families that take pets to and from the US every summer."

He adds: "Dogs and cats are still the most common however there is an ever increasing range of domesticated pets involved in the moving and relocation process. Certain dog breeds are not allowed in some countries. Prior to relocating, make sure that this is not going to be an issue for you. For example, Pit Bull Terriers, Japanese Tosas, Dogo Argentinos, and Fila Brazilieros are prohibited from being transported into Great Britain."

Private aviation users want to avoid hassle so charter brokers and operators are naturally fostering client loyalty and generating additional business by focusing on looking after pets.

The hassle factor tends to be higher for entry into islands such as the UK which use the sea and strict controls as an effective barrier to keep out animals infected by rabies. Rules on pet travel between continental European countries and to and from other jurisdictions may be less stringent but will include having the relevant health documentation.

All owners inclined to private charter like to have their pets well looked after and it is a useful marketing tool. "We do have a number of clients that we help out with pet travel," says Mike Hill, freight manager Air Partner Germany. "One customer who was moving home transported all seven of her dogs in a small aircraft from Mallorca back to Germany. We dealt with the paperwork as well as ensuring the comfort of the pets on the charter. We also have regular demand on the animal side for the transport of live horses, cattle or zoo animals. This has led to some interesting and demanding commissions."

Oxford-based FlairJet is another operation that has recognised that being able to look after pets is good for business. The company, which operates two Phenom 100s and is looking to add two Phenom 300s, is pursuing operator approval to carry domestic cats and dogs having had enquiries from pet owners who like to take their animals with them to France for the summer, according to ceo David Fletcher.

It is not just the hassle of paperwork that encourages owners to ask experts to take care of their pet transport problems.

Air Partner's private jets division reports that one reason why a steadily increasing number of JetCard and ad hoc charter clients are choosing to fly private is because the aviation experience is so much better for their animals. It is important revenue, illustrated by the fact that London-based Air Partner JetCards start at €108,000 for 25 flight hours with guaranteed aircraft availability, fully inclusive prices, discounts for return trips and some larger cabin upgrades available on a pro rata cost basis with no additional charges.

David Macdonald, sales director, says: "Many of our clients travelling home to points throughout the UK are choosing to use Biggin Hill, Manchester, Leeds or Oxford airports simply for their swift and streamlined pet clearance facilities; newly-approved Oxford is becoming popular with clients living in the north and west London areas. As soon as a the validity of a pet's passport, microchip and documentation have been checked the animal is free to disembark the aircraft with its owner or to fly on to another UK destination. It's that quick. This executive-style handling and consideration for animals as family members, rather than as cargo, is just one of the benefits of private aviation."

Air Partner confirms that, for many clients, pets are an important part of a trip and the number being flown in and out of the UK has risen significantly year-on-year since the introduction of the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) for dogs, cats and ferrets. In 2000 the number of animals entering the UK under PETS totalled 14,695, of which 12,633 were dogs; in 2007 the number reached 99,307, of which 89,127 were dogs. There were comparable figures for 2009.

"Animal lovers generally consider their pets, particularly dogs, to be companionable family members," Macdonald says. "When using private jets, procedures are much, much quicker than those offered by scheduled carriers at mainstream airports, boarding and disembarking is smoother, and animals stay close to their owners throughout, which is far less stressful for all concerned."

Peter Singh, proprietor of Transpet.co.uk, says one of the problems in continental Europe is that vets are poor at keeping pet passports up-to-date. "Owners settled in countries like Spain, especially those with UK connections, should ensure that the pet blood tests are up-to-date in case they need to visit Britain for any length of time, otherwise a six-month quarantine could result," he says.

The company mainly carries out commissions in France, Spain, Portugal and Gibraltar.

Pets can fly out of the UK from any airport with any aircraft operator, provided the correct documentation is in place. Return journeys, however, are more complicated and the operator must be certified to carry pets on the route in question. Additionally, only selected airports are authorised for pet immigration. London Biggin Hill, home to Air Partner's managed fleet of private jets, has authorisation and is experiencing an upsurge in demand. PETS-approved airports also include Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester and Bristol.

London Executive Aviation's md George Galanopoulos says that LEA's licence to carry pets into the UK was issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) two years ago. "We have flown missions with animals, mainly dogs and cats, but even a rabbit - which was, of course, called Roger!"

Gama Aviation has been approved under PETS since shortly after the scheme was launched for executive aircraft in 2006. "We began by working in close cooperation with SkyPets at Biggin Hill and that proved to be so popular that we expanded to cover Manchester and Oxford, which have seen a rise in demand from clients," says gm Dave Edwards. "We've successfully carried out many flights under the scheme now and have well designed procedures in place. The PETS scheme is something that defines how we ensure we offer what is required. Our clients want to travel on occasions with their pets and we want to give them the option of doing that with Gama."

Centreline Air's Phil Brockwell says the company has had a license for three years and its clients are enjoying increased flexibility since approval for Bristol airport was added to that for London Biggin Hill.

Multiflight at Leeds Bradford and London Oxford airport are two of the latest organisations to report gaining PETS approval. James Dillon-Godfray, head of marketing and development Oxford Aviation Services Ltd, says: "The first fully approved carriers are Netjets and Air Med. The airport now anticipates a significant number of flights for passengers destined for London and the Thames Valley but there will also be a focus on those en route to elsewhere in the UK for initial pet clearance at the airport."

Multiflight has also become approved as one of the UK's entry points under the PETS scheme. "This is an additional service that will be warmly welcomed by pet owners wanting to travel with their pets through Leeds Bradford," says handling manager Heather Cawthorne.

Multiflight Pet Travel offers a dedicated pet handling team trained to process the necessary paperwork and to meet and greet pets and their owners or handlers. Cawthorne says: "The team will carry out pre-disembarkation checks and check the pet's passport, travel credentials and its microchip."

The team at Oxford will also carry out the formalities. "Once the paperwork has been cleared and stamped as required, the pet is free to disembark," says Dillon-Godfray. But he warns that all applications to enter a pet into the UK under the regulations of the PETS scheme must be received by email by the oxfordjet pet handling team at least 24-hours prior to flight departure to the UK.

"Flights with pets onboard can also be cleared through Oxford for onwards travel elsewhere into the UK. Following the announcement of this new capability, several aircraft operators, including helicopter charter companies, have already filed for route approvals to Oxford with the Animal Health Office."

Dillon-Godfray adds: "It has taken some 18 months of dialogue with DEFRA and the acquisition of equipment, training and the creation of an approved animal reception centre on site in order to get to where we are today."

Both Oxford and Multiflight point out that there are a limited number of operators approved for UK pet imports with the bigger operators tending to take the lead in filing for route approvals.

The Channel Islands of Jersey and Guernsey have recognised the marketing and business potential of being a 'pit stop' for pet owners on their way into UK destinations. Guernsey's Aiglle Flight Support, which offers 24 hour operations, says its dedicated GA terminal is upgrading hangar facilities and it is offering a special tech stop handling rate of #52 regardless of aircraft type if fuel is bought at the company's discounted prices. "There's also a new 'quick stop" rate giving 20 per cent reduction on standard rates with a turn round time of less than one hour," the company says. "Clearance of cats and dogs travelling from the EU into the UK under the UK Pet Travel Scheme is at a special handling rate."

Michael Rapley, md ProAir Aviation, says: "Jersey has low fuel prices, no real restrictions on slots, a small friendly and efficient terminal, and we and other organisations have enjoyed positive encouragement from the authorities in developing business. There's another real incentive. Since 1 February 2010 all domestic animals arriving anywhere in the UK can now be checked for onward travel through Jersey airport."

Rapley warns: "With the increase in air traffic and slots demand across London, Oxford and Manchester delays in the air or on the ground can be commonplace. Jersey, with its abundance of space in the air and on the ground, is well located for many private charters inbound to the UK from the rest of Europe. This is particularly true for flights originating from France, Spain and Portugal."

Under the PETS travel scheme there are checks to enforce the rabies, tick and tapeworm requirements for domestic animals arriving into the UK on private aircraft. But Rapley says the procedure in Jersey is very straightforward: "The application for authorisation in advance of your next flight is very straightforward - one page with the owner's signature."

He adds: "For those that arrive in Jersey as either their final destination or simply for onward PETS clearance, there may be other cost saving advantages. Apart from the added benefit of much lower landing charges than most other international airports, jet fuel or Av Gas can be uploaded cheaper than many airports in mainland UK."

His message is that Jersey is a good place to stop to fuel the aircraft and process paperwork for pet as well as owner.

ProAir gm Andreas Wald says the majority of pets handled by the company fly together with their owners. "They are largely regular clients who use the jets of ProAir's own fleet and often bring dogs in their own kennels which can be carried in the cabin. These pets travel frequently with their owners who are generally extremely familiar with the necessary procedures and documentation processes.

"But, for those who are not, we can organise suitable kennels and give advice regarding the documentation and requirements of departure and destination country." He recommends a study of health passes, vaccination documents and entry and quarantine regulations well in advance of departure. "This helps to avoid stress - shortly before departure - or even worse - upon arrival."

ProAir keeps up-to-date with the latest IATA information which it verifies with the appropriate authorities regarding each specific animal, route and date. Wald says: "It is important to understand that our clients expect their pets to be treated well and no less carefully than their owners."

Most clients making commercial shipments of animals have the same high level of required expertise as ProAir. "In these cases we just cross-check in close cooperation to make sure all requirements are adhered to. Profound planning and bespoke equipment is required for the transportation of bloodstock such as race horses to keep the stress levels for these sensitive high value animals as low as possible," says Wald. "ProAir can arrange for collapsible stalls, penning and ramp systems, professional grooms and everything else that might be required. Close cooperation with airlines with exhaustive experience in live animals transportation is the key to a safe and secure transportation."

It pays to look carefully look after pets and animals and this commercial fact of life has been taken on board by a rising number of charter brokers, operators and airports. Looking after pets and other animals properly can keep clients loyal and happy and attract worthwhile new business.