(F.No. 33/1/85-AI(I)

(No. 10-10/85-AIS)

The following is issued for information, guidance and necessary action :

Cancellation : AIC 4 of 1974

In exercise of the powers conferred by rule 24-C of Aircraft Rules, 1937, the Director General of Civil Aviation is pleased to permit the airlines to carry by air to, from and within India, animals, birds, and reptiles in an aircraft subject to the observance of the following conditions :-

1. Definitions

"Animals" mean all domesticated and undomesticated animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, insects, crustaceans and shell-fish.

"Containers" mean anything within which an animals is confined for the purpose of preventing the animal from escaping and of restraining its movements, while being carried by air and includes stalls, pens, cages, crates, boxes, cages, crates, boxes and tins. The design of the containers shall conform with the IATA/1^ST specification or any other approved specification.

2. Carriage of Animals in Passenger Aircraft

Dangerous wild animals, elephants, horses, cattle, sheep or swine may be carried only in the cargo holds of aircraft carrying passengers provided that there is no direct assess to the passengers’ compartments and provided further that the requirements of paragraph 1.4 are complied with.

3. Carriage of Animals in Passenger Compartments

1. No animals other than small inoffensive pets and trained guide dogs may be carried in passenger compartments occupied by passengers provided that :

1. not more than two containers of pets are carried at a time;
2. the pets and guide dogs are not allowed to occupy a passenger seat;
3. a moistures absorbent mat is placed under the pet/guide dog;
4. other passenger do not object to the presence of the pets/guide dogs in the passenger compartment;
5. the guide dog is properly restrained and muzzled; and
6. pets other than such dogs are carried in suitable containers,

1. No animal shall be carried in pressurised aircraft if the atmosphere in the passenger of flight deck compartments is likely to be contaminated by the animal to such an extent as to affect the health of the passengers or crew.

1. Prevention of Dangerous Movement by Animals

1. Each animal carried in an aircraft shall be confined in a container, the design and construction of which prevents the animal escaping from the container and from inflicting injury on any person who in the performance of his duties, touches or handles the container. The container, when placed in the Cargo Compartment must be located in such a manner as to assure that ventilation areas of the container are not obstructed.
2. Following special precautions shall be taken :

1. Whenever horses, cattle or other large and heavy animals whose movements, if not effectively restrained, would alter or tend to alter the distribution of the load in the aircraft, are carried by air such animals shall be confined in a separate stall and shall be secured in the stall in such a manner as will restrict their freedom of movement within the stall.
2. Sheep shall be confined in pens constructed so as to prevent escape and eliminate movement of the sheep, which is likely to after the distribution of the load in the aircraft.

3. Pens may be arranged to permit the erection of an upper deck, provided that the requirements of sub-paragraph 1.4.2 and 1.8.1 are met.
4. Swine shall be confined in pens constructed so as to prevent escape and eliminate movement by the swine, which are likely to alter the distribution of the load in the aircraft.

1. The top of each pen shall be adequately covered so as to prevent the escape of swine either by jumping or during turbulent conditions.
2. The side and bottom of the pens shall be constructed so as to prevent the escape of swine by rooting.

5. Animals other than those described in paragraph 1.3.1. shall be confined in separate crates or boxes.
6. Insects shall be confined in containers, which prevent the insects from biting of stinging persons through the material of which the container is made. The container shall be so constructed as to withstand knocks or falls without sustaining damage, which would be likely to enable the insect to escape.

1. Stowage

1. The container in which an animal is confined during the carriage by air shall be stowed in aircraft so as to be readily accessible to the attendant having the animal in his charge and to the members of the crew.
2. The containers shall be secured to the structure of the aircraft to prevent the movement of the container, which might disturb or tend to disturb the distribution of the load.
3. Containers shall be arranged so that crew has free access from front to rear of the aircraft through the compartment of the aircraft in which the containers are installed.

1. Carriage of Attendants

1. The consignor of any savage animal shall ensure that an experienced animal attendant accompanies the animal while it is being carried in the aircraft and the operator of the aircraft shall furnish the attendant with accommodation from which the animal’s container is readily accessible. The attendant shall carry implements suitable for handling the animals.
2. If the consignor so requests, an attendant may, at the discretion of the operator of the aircraft, be carried in the aircraft with animals which are not of a savage nature.

1. Arming of Crew

Whenever any savage animal which, if it escapes, might endanger the safety of persons in the aircraft and whenever domestic animals which might become panic stricken and, if not effectively restrained or subdued, might, by their movements, disturb the distribution of the load are carried in an aircraft, the Pilot-in-Command of that aircraft shall carry a fire arm and/or dog gun suitable for use against the animal in an emergency together with the requisite ammunition.

2. Prevention of Escape of Water etc.

1. Any container in which mammals are confined shall be constructed in such manner as to prevent the escape of excreta.
2. Any container in which fish crustaceans of shell-fish are confined shall be constructed in such manner as to prevent the escape of water from the container.