Airlines instructed to forestall unauthorised carriage of dwell animals into India

In a bid to forestall the unauthorised carriage of dwell animals into India, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued contemporary pointers to airways operators, official sources mentioned on Friday (July 25, 2025).

Amid a number of situations reported by airways relating to the carriage of dwell animals into India by passengers with out correct declaration or clearance, labeled as unbeknownst imports, the DGCA requested the operators to plan methods to detect and deter the violation of deportation situations.

Going by guidelines laid down by the Animal Quarantine and Certification Services and Indian Customs, such animals have been topic to fast deportation to their nation of origin, with applicable intimation to involved stakeholders and authorities in that nation.

Though the carriage of animals/birds by air was ruled by the Aeronautical Information Circular (AIC) of 1985, the DGCA’s advisory meant to additional information and guarantee compliance with the newest directions/orders of the Indian Customs and different law-enforcing businesses and facilitate the protected and legally compliant deportation animals by all plane operators/airways working in India.

Responsibility of airways

The aviation regulator mentioned in case of detection of any unbeknownst imports of dwell animals into India, the involved airline could be answerable for their fast deportation. “The airline that transported the undeclared dwell animals shall be solely accountable for deportation in accordance with relevant legal guidelines. All prices related with deportation, together with animal dealing with, in-transit welfare, documentation, and repatriation logistics shall be borne by the airline,” the advisory mentioned.

As a part of the preventive measures, the operators have been suggested to be sure that the staff deployed at check-in counters, boarding gates and in-flight operations have been adequately skilled and sensitised on customs and quarantine guidelines and rules pertaining to move of dwell animals. Passenger advisories and signage relating to restrictions on import of dwell animals ought to be displayed prominently, the sources mentioned.