Are you traveling with a pet? Pay attention to airline policies and like Tunisair operating all over the world. All data is communicated on the website of the North African company and is updated regularly. Therefore, before purchasing tickets, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the policy of transporting pets on board.
Tunisair reveals its animal transport policy
With the increase in passenger traffic and the growing awareness of cat and dog travel, Tunisair is raising the threshold for accepting animals on flights.
Sixty million animals fly to various destinations around the world each year. This number increases each year by around 6% with the increase in passenger traffic.
Animal flight policies vary by airline and country requirements. In Tunisia, for example, the strictest conditions require any animal to fly as cargo – a masking procedure that is also much more expensive.
It should be remembered that Tunisair does not accept any animal other than a dog, cat or bird on board its planes.
Can all dogs travel by plane?
To be admitted on board, the dog must be around ten weeks old, which varies slightly depending on the country and area. For flights in mainland France and overseas (excluding Guyana), the required age is eight weeks, while for Guyana, it is fifteen weeks.
The first category dogs, known as “attack” dogs, such as Pitbulls and Mastiffs, are, most of the time, prohibited on board airplanes.
As for second category dogs, such as Rottweillers, Air France authorizes their travel only by freight. They cannot therefore travel on the same flight as their owner.
Finally, flat-faced dogs, known as brachycephalic, such as Bulldogs and Pugs, are prohibited in the hold, because they can develop respiratory problems.
What are the formalities for getting my dog on board?
To be admitted on board, it is required that the dog has all its vaccines up to date. Any dog traveling within the European Union must also be able to be identified using an electronic chip. It must also have a European passport, provided and completed by an authorized veterinarian. It is this passport that allows you to identify your animal, and to certify that it has been vaccinated.
In the cabin, your dog must be in a transport bag that does not exceed a dimension of 55 x 40 x 20 centimeters. The bag must be sufficiently ventilated and allow your pet to stand and turn, and it must be able to fit into the space under the seat in front of you. Your animal must never leave its bag during the flight. You can only carry one animal per bag, and each passenger can only travel with one animal.
For travel in the hold, your companion must travel in an IATA (International Air Transport Association) approved transport box, ie a rigid plastic or fiberglass “shell” box.
The weight not to be exceeded is 8 kg (including the weight of the animal’s crate).
Prepare your pet for the next flight
The animal preparation process includes veterinary examinations, including the required vaccinations or the presentation of the required documents according to the conditions of the country of destination.
Are there any restrictions applied by the countries visited?
When traveling abroad with your dog, it is very important to check the legislation in force concerning pets in the country of destination: indeed, each has its own rules. So, for example, Australia requires quarantine of animals. Other countries simply refuse entry to foreign animals or certain breeds of dogs (Argentine Pitbulls or Mastiffs).
It is best to inquire directly with the embassy of the country of destination to find out the entry conditions specific to your animal.
Are there stricter regulations in some countries?
Within the European Union, Ireland, the United Kingdom as well as Malta have additional and stricter sanitary conditions.
Here are some conditions required to be able to travel with your four-legged companion in the United Kingdom:
Your dog must have received a vermifuge treatment by a veterinarian between one and five days before your departure. This treatment must appear on the passport or veterinary certificate.
The dog must not arrive more than five days before or after you in the territory. You must complete a certificate stating that you are not going to sell or give your animal to a new owner.
So to avoid unpleasant surprises, always remember to check the regulations for the transport of animals for each country you will visit.
To notify his airline of the transport of his dog on board, the passenger must contact Tunisair customer service at least 48 hours before the departure time of his flight.
Animal transport tariff on Tunisair flights
The cost of the service differs depending on the destination chosen by the passenger
– From Tunisia
Flights to and from North Africa (including Libya) and Europe: 100 TND
Flights to and from the Middle East (Egypt, Lebanon), Turkey and Russia: 125 TND
Flights to and from the Middle East and West Africa: 175 TND
Connecting flights between Europe, Africa, the Middle East and North America via Tunisia: 225 TND
– Coming from abroad
Flights to and from North Africa (including Libya) and Europe: 50 €
Flights to and from the Middle East (Egypt, Lebanon), Turkey and Russia: 75 €
Flights to and from the Middle East and West Africa: 100 €
Connecting flights between Europe, Africa, the Middle East and North America via Tunisia: 125 €