The rules for transporting animals by Flydubai: what pet lovers need to know
Animal lovers know that traveling with pets requires compliance with certain rules. At the same time, flydubai has issued a special guide that regulates the rules for transporting animals on board its aircraft.
The first restriction that Flydubai outlined in its live animal transportation guide is that any animals will have to travel in the cargo hold "whether accompanied by their owners or not." This means that, unfortunately, no cute dog will accompany your neighbor on a flydubai flight, according to the article by Simple Flying.
Another important rule of flydubai is that there should be no odor-producing animals in its cargo hold. In addition, invertebrates, i.e. animals without spines, such as snails or squids, will not be allowed to travel on the carrier's flights.
The carrier also prohibits the placement of animals that cause an unpleasant odor, bitten, poisonous, and/or pregnant animals in the cargo hold of flydubai. The airline also bans rodents "such as mice, hamsters, moles, squirrels, beavers, chinchillas, guinea pigs, etc." Interestingly, the list also includes a clause stating that "sick and dead animals are not accepted."
In addition, certain flydubai restrictions are related to animal breeds. In particular, it is noted that breeds and mixtures of snub-nosed cats and dogs will not be accepted for travel, as these breeds are known to be at an increased risk of heat stroke, respiratory problems, or increased stress during travel. The airline also listed only six breeds of cats whose owners will not be able to transport them, namely the British Shorthair, Burmese, Exotic, Himalayan, Persian, and Scottish Fold.
Another important prohibition is that flydubai also does not allow the transportation of animals that are protected by the relevant law. This means that any animals, or products from them, such as hunting trophies, which are covered by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), cannot travel on flydubai flights. It is emphasized that owners of protected animals such as cheetahs, great pandas, red pandas, or Cuvier's gazelle will have to choose another airline to transport them.
In addition, flydubai's rules are also aimed at making animals feel comfortable. Therefore, all containers for transporting animals must meet the standards of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). It is specified that each pet container must be "large enough to allow your pet to move freely and stand with its head up, turn, and lie down in a normal position." In addition, it should be high enough so that the animal's head or ear tips do not touch the ceiling. The airline also advises that each crate "should be purchased in advance to give the animal time to get used to it.