From purpose-constructed stables and quarantine services, to on-build apart of abode veterinary services, the infrastructure and experience required for horse transport are designed to minimise stress and invent certain the animals arrive at their destination in optimum situation. In consequence, airports that cater to this niche market needs to be geared up with the most popular know-how, experienced personnel, and a deep figuring out of the utter wants of horses in transit.
Glasgow Prestwick Airport, nestled on the west wing of Scotland, has centered on building specialisation in niche forms of cargo transportation, including equine. One in every of only three equine Border Inspection Posts (BIPs) within the UK, alongside London Heathrow and London Stansted, the airport has undertaken a gigantic refurbishment of its services, enhancing its capability to handle stay animals, specifically horses.
The BIP is equipped with seven stalls, in conjunction with two additional quarantine stalls. These services are complemented by a brand new rapid of dollies and excessive loaders, which guarantee the safe switch of horses from the airplane.
“Our newly refurbished BIP is comfortably situated diagram the freighter handling stands, offering an wonderful build for handling stay animals,” Nico Le Roux, Alternate Fashion Director at Glasgow Prestwick Airport, acknowledged. “We additionally possess a switch roller bed in build to ascertain a subtle path of.”
Ensuring the consolation of horses
Because the homeowners of the bottom handling group at Prestwick, the group there has sigh adjust over all operations. This adjust permits for efficient coordination with exporters, forwarders, and airways, guaranteeing that every person aspects of the transportation path of are managed successfully.
The airport works closely with its scheduled carriers, Cargolux and Air France, as successfully as devoted charters that continuously use the potential. Prestwick has additionally developed sturdy relationships with main stay animal forwarders, akin to Intradco and Instone.
The successfully being and successfully-being of the horses are paramount, every sooner than and after flights at Prestwick Airport. “We strive and handle the animals in a restful and stress-free manner,” Le Roux explained.
The airport’s preferred freighter stand is found lower than 50m from the BIP facility, taking into fable like a flash and snug transfers. Whether the horses are transported through dollies or walked right away to and from the airplane, the path of is designed to minimise any most likely hurt.
Interior the potential, a rubberised ramp has been installed to forestall slipping and sliding, additional guaranteeing the horses’ safety. The airport additionally employs a authentic grooming provider, responsible for getting ready the BIP sooner than every operation and for cleansing and sterilising the potential afterwards.
The airport’s services embody a devoted build for the veterinary group to behavior exams and prepare any significant therapies. The collaboration with the convey veterinary division ensures that the animals catch the most effective most likely customary of care.
“We behavior regular inspections and upgrades to retain the potential in high situation,” Le Roux explained. “Our sturdy relationship with the group permits for flexibility, including toughen out of doorways of customary hours.”
