AirBridgeCargo transports 66 giraffes from SA to China

Aug 06, 2018: AirBridgeCargo Airlines (ABC), a leading air cargo carrier has successfully transported 66 giraffes on-board in one of its Boeing 747 freighters. The charter flight was operated at the end of July from South Africa’s O. R. Tambo International Airport near Johannesburg to Zhengzhou, China via ABC’s Moscow Sheremetyevo cargo hub.

The 66 baby giraffes, collectively weighing around 38 tonnes, were on their way to various animal parks in the Zhengzhou region. With each giraffe up to three metres in height, special transportation containers were provided by the customer to ensure their comfort, safety and well-being throughout the transportation process. The long-necked animals travelled in groups of three in each container and were accompanied by animal specialists as well as a plentiful supply of water and nutritious food during their journey.

A dedicated abc CARE team – representing the airline’s specialist live animals service – ensured all of the flight and handling procedures were organised in compliance with IATA’s Live Animals Regulations and provided their expertise to complete the required documentation for the transportation. 

“Each time we organise a dedicated charter flight with live animals on-board, we fully understand the high level of our responsibility to ensure their safety and well-being. We must also show our customers that their trust on us as experienced logistics practitioners for such important cargos is well placed and in full compliance with international industry standards. In the first half of 2018, we witnessed an 18 percent increase in the transportation,” highlighted Sergey Lazarev, general director of AirBridgeCargo Airlines.

Jasmine Zhang, airfreight manager of BSI Logistics (Tianjin) Limited, ABC’s customer for the flight, stated, “We are happy to see our lovely giraffes starting their new lives in China. We really appreciate ABC’s hard work, professional assistance and support.”

AirBridgeCargo Airlines have been strengthening its position in the live animals transportation market through its dedicated abc CARE service, realigning its internal procedures, gaining required quality certificates, and organising deliveries to meet even the most challenging customer requirements.