IATA Live Animals Regulations compliance and certified operators.

Transporting live animals by air requires strict compliance with IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR), CITES permit requirements and the veterinary import rules of each destination country. Errors in container specification, documentation or transit planning can result in welfare incidents, shipment rejection or quarantine detention. Our broker partners source LAR-certified cargo operators with species-specific authorizations, trained handling personnel and appropriate aircraft configurations, subject to operator approvals, CITES classifications and destination import requirements.

IATA LAR alignment: Broker partners verify that each shipment follows current IATA LAR container requirements, species-specific feeding and watering schedules, maximum transit time limits and ventilation standards applicable to the species being transported.
Certified operators: Broker partners source cargo airlines holding LAR validator status, CITES wildlife transport approvals and Animal Handling Competency certifications, with insurance coverage appropriate to the value and species of the animals in transit.
Species-appropriate containers: Broker partners confirm that containers meet IATA LAR dimensional, ventilation and escape-proof requirements certified for the specific species, verifying compatibility with the aircraft cargo deck before loading.

Equine air transport with professional in-flight care.

Horses are among the most valuable and physiologically sensitive animals transported by air. Competition horses, breeding stallions and yearlings require purpose-built aviation stalls, professional groom supervision and careful management of stress, hydration and temperature throughout the journey. Our broker partners work with operators experienced in equine air freight, coordinating stall configurations, flying groom arrangements and ground handling at both ends, subject to aircraft stall availability and operator approvals.

Aviation stalls: Broker partners source freighter aircraft with purpose-built main deck equine stalls featuring padded dividers, suspension systems and non-slip flooring configured for the number and size of horses being transported.
In-flight groom supervision: Professional flying grooms accompany horses throughout the flight, monitoring hydration, feed intake, stress levels and general condition, with veterinary protocols agreed before departure for the specific animals and route.
Ground loading coordination: Broker partners coordinate secure ramp loading from specialist horseboxes directly into aircraft stalls, using certified equine ramps and anti-slip surfaces to minimize stress during the boarding process.

Climate control for livestock, exotics and sensitive species.

Different species require specific temperature, ventilation and humidity conditions during air transport. Livestock, primates, tropical species and ornamental fish each have distinct environmental tolerances that must be maintained to prevent heat stress, respiratory distress or physiological decline. Our broker partners coordinate with LAR-certified operators to configure climate systems for the species being transported, setting appropriate temperature zones and ventilation rates, subject to aircraft HVAC capability and IATA LAR specifications.

Active ventilation: Broker partners source aircraft with main deck HVAC systems providing high-volume filtered airflow to prevent ammonia buildup, CO2 accumulation and heat stress during transit for livestock, poultry and primate shipments.
Species-specific temperature zones: Broker partners configure climate settings for the temperature range required by each species group, from cooler conditions for livestock to warmer environments for tropical reptiles or ornamental fish.
Direct routing: Broker partners select the most direct routing available to minimize total transit time and reduce the physiological stress that extended journeys, technical stops and layovers impose on live animal cargo.

Veterinary documentation, CITES permits and quarantine coordination.

International live animal shipments require extensive veterinary documentation including health certificates, CITES permits, microchip records and destination import approvals. Incomplete paperwork is one of the most common causes of border rejection and quarantine detention in AVI freight. Our broker partners coordinate with veterinary authorities and customs agents to validate all documentation before departure, aligning timelines with quarantine booking windows, subject to regulatory processing times of each importing country.

Health certificates: Broker partners coordinate official veterinary health certificates, vaccination records, disease testing results and species-specific endorsements required by the importing country's veterinary authority.
CITES and import permits: Broker partners manage CITES permit applications for protected species and coordinate destination import permits with the relevant wildlife and veterinary authorities, aligned with the species classification and trade restrictions applicable to each shipment.
Quarantine coordination: Broker partners synchronize flight arrivals with pre-booked quarantine facility slots at the destination, coordinating handover procedures, inspection schedules and release timelines with the receiving veterinary authority.

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Specialized ventilated animal transport container secured inside a cargo aircraft for a safe AVI flight.

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Air Cargo

Live Animals (AVI)

Live Animal Cargo Charter and AVI Air Freight

Transport livestock, equine, exotic species and breeding animals by dedicated charter aircraft under IATA LAR compliance with veterinary oversight and climate-controlled conditions.

Frequently asked questions about live animal cargo charter flights.

Planning an equine, livestock or exotic animal shipment by charter aircraft? Below are answers to common questions about how AVI cargo flights are organized and what regulatory requirements apply. Submit your request through the IONA JETS platform, and our broker partners will handle all quoting, logistics and veterinary coordination on your behalf.

IONA JETS acts solely as a digital referral platform connecting clients with independent air charter brokers across private, commercial and cargo aviation. IONA JETS is not an air carrier or aircraft operator and does not operate any flights; all flights are quoted, contracted and performed exclusively by third‑party brokers and/or certified operators under their own licenses, terms and conditions and insurance policies. The descriptions provided on this website are of a general nature and reflect common practices and service standards within the air charter industry; they are for guidance only and do not constitute a guarantee that a particular service, configuration or feature will be available on every mission. All services remain subject to operational constraints, availability and applicable regulations, and the precise conditions of your trip or shipment will be confirmed by the broker partner at the time of booking. Any transport‑related obligations or liabilities rest solely with the contractual carrier and/or broker identified in the booking documentation.

Is veterinary and customs documentation handled?

Yes. Broker partners coordinate health certificates, CITES permits, vaccination records, microchip verification and destination import approvals with the relevant veterinary and customs authorities. Documentation is prepared and validated before departure to reduce the risk of border rejection or quarantine detention at the destination.

How is the climate controlled for live animal charters?

Broker partners configure main deck HVAC systems for the temperature, ventilation and humidity ranges required by the species being transported, following IATA LAR environmental specifications. Settings are verified before departure and monitored throughout the flight by the operator's crew and any accompanying animal handlers.

Can horses be transported internationally by charter aircraft?

Yes. Broker partners source freighter aircraft with purpose-built equine aviation stalls and coordinate professional flying grooms, veterinary protocols and ground handling at both ends. Equine air freight is one of the most established segments of AVI cargo, with dedicated operators experienced in competition horse, breeding and yearling transport.

What are the regulations for transporting live animals by air?

Live animal air transport is governed by IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR), CITES appendices for protected species and the veterinary import rules of each destination country. Broker partners source LAR-certified operators and verify that containers, transit times and handling procedures comply with the requirements applicable to the species and route.