Challenge Airlines IL is now IATA CEIV Live Animals-certified. The certificate was formally presented to Hay Sasson, chief operating officer of Challenge Group, by IATA SVP Product and Services Frederic Leger, at the World Cargo Symposium in London, England, on Sept. 27, witnessed by Brendan Sullivan, IATA head of Cargo, and IATA director General Willie Walsh. It is the group’s second IATA CEIV certificate. Challenge Airlines IL already holds the IATA CEIV Pharma.
“Challenge Airlines IL is delighted to have visible recognition of the uncompromisingly high standards that we apply when transporting all kinds of animals,” Sasson says. “We carry more than 5,000 animals every year and, in line with our corporate values, their well-being and comfort is paramount.”
Challenge Group aims to do everything possible to ensure that each animal’s travel experience is as stress-free as possible, even going as far as developing its own horse ULD and the prototype of an horses trailer. With the IATA CEIV Live Animals certificate, Challenge Group has a globally recognized quality stamp – one that instils peace of mind in existing and potential customers. “We are grateful to the IATA CEIV Live Animals auditors for their encouragement and suggestions on how we can improve even further,” Sasson adds.
“We congratulate Challenge Airlines on achieving CEIV Live Animals Certification. The audit validates that the airline complies with applicable standards, regulations and guidelines with regard to animal facilities, equipment, operations, and competent staff. Animal owners, breeders and shippers rely heavily on airlines to carry their precious cargo. Challenge Airlines’ certification is a step forward in IATA’s efforts to ensure that global standards and best practices are in place around the world to protect the welfare of animals travelling by air. And reassurance for Challenge Airlines’ customers who can be confident that their live animals shipments are traveling in safe, healthy and humane conditions,” said Leger.
Following the volatility and upheaval the industry has and is experiencing over these past two and a half years, globally recognized quality certification has become even more important – particularly with regard to such sensitive cargo as live animals. Challenge Airlines IL has been transporting animals for more than 30 years and has access to the Group’s meticulously run Horse Inn in Liège. The IATA CEIV Live Animals certificate endorses what they are already well-versed in handling. At the state-of-the-art, Challenge Group-run Horse Inn in Liège, the Live Animals team also takes care of animal shipments for other airlines.
A dedicated Challenge Live Animals team of more than 40 colleagues is on hand to ensure that animal bookings are correct and complete, that all the relevant paperwork and inspections are carried out, and to provide species-relevant handling around the clock. The group exhorts the highest standards and animal handling expertise and engages in continuous improvement cycles to ensure the animal’s well-being at all times.
