Express Pets
There are strict guidelines regarding the transportation of animals by air. Airlines and transport providers in consultation with animal welfare agencies and veterinary practitioners have created these guidelines. They have been designed to ensure your pet travels safely and comfortably.
The carriage of any live animals on aircraft must comply with the current edition of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Live Animal Regulations.
Visit the IATA website www.iata.org/whatwedo/cargo/live_animals/Pages/pets.aspx to obtain information about these guidelines.
All pets lodged for transportation with AaE are subject to AaE service conditions. Please review the conditions at www.aae.com.au/applications/consignment_note_copies/service_conditions.
The information provided outlines all you need to know when lodging your animal/pet for air transport.
Alternatively, you can engage an animal transport service provider in your state to manage the shipment of the pet by air on your behalf. The service providers contact details can be located in the telephone directory and on the internet.
AaE offers an airport to airport service only. AaE does not pick up or deliver animals.
air travel for pets should be carefully considered
Not all pets are suited to travel via air. There are a number of things you should consider before planning your pet's travel.
Your pet’s health
Your pet should be fit and healthy and able to cope with being confined for an extended period. An airport is an unfamiliar and noisy environment that can cause animals to become stressed and agitated.
It is strongly advised that you consult your Vet before you transport your pet by air. They will be able to check your pet’s health and assess your pet for air travel.
In some instances you will be required to provide a certificate from your Vet confirming that you pet is fit to travel by air. The conditions when veterinary certificates are required are listed on the What you need to know page. Without these required certificates the animal will only be accepted at owners own risk and at AaE’s discretion.
when to Travel
If your pet is travelling in summer, avoid flights during the middle of the day, and in winter avoid early or late flights in the cooler parts of the day. When you make a booking with AaE we will assist you to identify the most suitable flights available.
Australian air Express does not recommend transport of animals during extreme weather. If at any stage of the planned journey the temperature is forecast to be above 35 C or below 5 C consider carefully the animal’s welfare and the need to transport by air.
Do I need a permit?
It is the responsibility of the owner/shipper to make themselves aware of any state quarantine requirements that may restrict transportation of their pet into that state. As state laws and regulations are subject to change we strongly recommend that each time you are planning to travel with your pet that you check the current state rules to confirm if you are affected.
The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) provide a Traveller’s Guide on Interstate Quarantine. Visit the AQIS website www.daff.gov.au/aqis/travel/within-australia/guide
Decide who will lodge your pet
Make a decision on whether you will lodge your pet directly at the AaE freight terminal or whether you will engage a specialist animal transport service provider to manage the lodgement and pickup of your pet on your behalf. These service providers are listed in the telephone directory or can be found on the internet.
Check the location of the aaE Freight terminal at the airport
The location of the AaE freight terminal is not always close to the passenger departure and arrival areas in major airports. In some instances the freight terminal is not within easy walking distance of the passenger terminal.
We encourage you to take the time to check the location of the AaE freight terminal in both your port of departure and arrival, so that you can plan how you will lodge your pet with AaE and make sure that you can pick up your pet on arrival in a timely manner.
Details of our freight terminal locations at major airports are available on the web at the following addresses:
SYDNEY: Corner Shiers Ave and Fifth Street, Mascot NSW 2020
http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-33.931647,151.1714&z=15&t=h&hl=en
MELBOURNE: 11 Apac Drive , Melbourne Airport 3045
http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-37.673882,144.85184&z=15&t=h&hl=en
DARWIN: Sir Norman Brearly Drive, Darwin NT 0801
http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-12.408452,130.88091&z=16&t=h&hl=en
CANBERRA: 3 Rogan Place, Canberra International Airport ACT 2609
http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-35.307381,149.19231&z=15&t=h&hl=en
BRISBANE: Dryandra Road, Brisbane Airport QLD 4007
http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-27.386746,153.11566&z=14&t=h&hl=en
PERTH: Corner Ross Drive and Boud Avenue, Perth Airport WA 6105
http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-31.937322,115.96762&z=15&t=h&hl=en
ADELAIDE: Sir Richard William Avenue, Adelaide Airport SA 5950
http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-34.940222,138.54044&z=15&t=h&hl=en
Your pet must be lodged at the AaE Freight Terminal a minimum of 90 minutes prior to the scheduled flight departure.
Pets may not be lodged before this acceptance window. This is to minimise the time that the pet is in the freight terminal where opportunities for hydration, exercise and toileting are limited or do not exist.
If you are unable to satisfy this lodgement requirement, we suggest you consider using one of the specialist animal transport service providers that can undertake this lodgement on your behalf.