Transportation of animals

The transportation of animals requires prior approval of the Airline not later than 48 hours before depature.

The maximum number of animals allowed for carriage in a baggage compartment on an aircraft is limited.

The transportation of animals is not included in the free baggage allowance.

To confirm and book an additional service on a charter flight you need to contact the tour operator (travel agent) providing the tourist service.

The transportation of animals, the weight of which with the container exceeds 8 kg, but does not exceed 50 kg, or if the size of the container exceeds the established norm, is provided in the baggage compartment.

The transportation of animals is allowed provided that pets are in specialized carriers with a waterproof bottom and free air access.

Animals with weight with container exceeding 50 kg are accepted for carriage only as cargo.

Animals under three months old will not be accepted for transportation.

If the route provides for a transfer to the flight(s) of another carrier(s) at one or more points, live animals are accepted for carriage ONLY if there is a confirmation from all airlines participating in the carriage.

It is recommended to arrive at the airport of departure no later than 60 minutes before the check-in deadline in order to go through all the necessary procedures.

Belavia - Belarusian Airlines is not responsible for damage caused to the animal by its own behavior and the owner's failure to comply with the rules and laws of the country of destination.

The passenger should have all documents that are necessary for transportation of animals (birds), required by the Belarusian law or by the international agreements or by the rules and regulations of the country to the territory or through the territory or from the territory of which the transportation is to be performed.

The Airline is not responsible for bodily injury, loss, illness or death of in the case that it is denied entry or transit through any country, state or territory except as a result of intentional misconduct or gross negligence of the Airline.

The duties of the airline personnel do not include caring for animals.

For air transportation of animals, you will be asked to provide the following documents:

• Veterinary certificate of vaccination;
• Microchip;
• Animal’s passport.
• Veterinary certificate, which must be obtained from the department of the veterinary service (city or district) from the chief veterinarian of the city or district.

When departing from National Airport Minsk, a passenger with an animal must contact the Smolevichi Border Control Veterinary Center at National Airport Minsk(tel.: +375-17-279-16-90, +375-17-279-12-15) for legal paperwork.

The passenger is solely responsible for providing all the necessary documents.

We draw your attention to the fact that some countries have very strict restrictions or even a ban on the import of animals, so we recommend that you inquire in advance about the rules for their import into the country of destination.

COMPLIANCE WITH ALL LAWS AND RULES FOR IMPORTING ANIMALS INTO THE TERRITORY OF THE STATE OF DESTINATION IS THE OBLIGATION OF THEIR OWNERS.

Transportation of animals in the passenger cabin of the aircraft can be carried out as hand luggage. In this case, the maximum dimensions of the container should not exceed 55x40x20 cm, the maximum weight of the animal with the container should not exceed 8 kg.

When transporting an animal as hand luggage, a fee is charged for transporting the animal in the cabin of the aircraft.

The charge to be paid for the transportation of animal in the passenger cabin of the aircraft is 50 EUR / 60 USD / 50 GBP*.

* Rate in USD is applicable only for Israel, rate in GBP – only for Great Britain. For all other points of sale the rate in EUR is applicable.

You can take small pets such as cats, dogs and other small homoiothermic animals with you on board. Besides blind/deaf passengers are allowed to be accompanied by guide dogs in the cabin.

Carriage of animals in the cabin is allowed if the following requirements are met:

• transportation of animals must be pre-agreed and confirmed by the Airline;
• you can carry only one pet in the cabin;
• your pet must travel in a container (cage, soft carrier) excluding guide dogs;
• only one animal may be placed in the container (cage, soft carrier);
• the weight of the animal together with the container should not exceed 8 kg, the size of the container should not exceed 55Х40Х20 cm;
• make sure you’ve got all the necessary documents for animal transportation;
• the pet is presented in a container(cage, soft carrier) at the check-in desk;
• the container (cage, soft carrier) where animal is carried should pass a safety check;
• the container (cage, soft carrier) must be put under the seat in front of you;
• the animal transportation is paid at Belavia rates regardless the number of other checked in baggage;
• it is PROHIBITED to open the cage (container), take the animal out of the container on board the aircraft (in the passenger cabin, toilet) and also feed the animal during the flight;

Number of animals in cabin per flight is limited and depends on aircraft type.

Transportation of animals in the passenger cabin of the aircraft can be carried out in a separate passenger's seat. In this case, the maximum dimensions of the container should not exceed 55x40x40 cm, the maximum weight of the animal with the container should not exceed 23 kg.

When transporting an animal on a separate passenger’s seat, a fee is charged for the transportation additional baggage in the cabin of the aircraft according to the rules established by Belavia Airlines, as well as a fee for the transportation of an animal in the passenger cabin of the aircraft.

An animal is allowed to be carried on a separate passenger’s seat (SSR CBBG) if the following requirements are met:

• carriage of an animal should be booked in advance. When booking or buying a ticket inform your agent on animal details (quantity, breed, weight, size, etc);
• a separate ticket is issued for the carriage of an animal in the cabin of an aircraft with accommodation on a separate passenger’s seat and is paid in accordance with the rules and norms for the carriage of baggage of the CBBG category at Belavia rates, as well as with the charge of the fee established by the Airline for the carriage of an animal in the passenger cabin of the aircraft. Free baggage allowance, cabin luggage and meal are not applied for a ticket purchased for the transportation of an animal on a separate seat;
• make sure you’ve got all the necessary documents for animal transportation;
• the weight of the animal together with the container should not exceed 23 kg, the size of the container should not exceed 55Х40Х40 cm. The size of the container should allow the animal to sit, get up full height and turn round 360 degrees, lie in a natural pose;
• no more than one (1) animal on a separate passenger's seat is allowed on one flight, which is part of the airline's restrictions on the transportation of live animals (PETC) in the passenger cabin;
• your pet must travel in a container during the flight;
• a specialized container (carrier) for the transportation of animals in the cabin on a passenger’s seat must be rigid with a waterproof bottom and metal reliable locking door;
• the container (carrier) must be designed to be fixed in a passenger’s seat. The container (carrier) with the animal must be reliably secured during all the flight;
• To avoid damaging the passenger’s seat the floor of the container (carrier) must be coved with absorbent material. In addition, you should have an absorbent cover to put on the passenger’s seat before locating the container (carrier);
• you can carry only one pet in the container (carrier);
• the pet is presented in a container(cage, soft carrier) at the check-in desk;
• the container (cage, soft carrier) where animal is carried should pass a safety check;
• it is PROHIBITED to open the cage (container), take the animal out of the container on board the aircraft (in the passenger cabin, toilet) and also feed the animal during the flight
• an animal can only be transported in an “economy” class cabin, transportation in “business” class cabin is FORBIDDEN.
• it is passenger’s responsibility to get an animal transported on a separate seat on board, lift it, locate it in the cabin, take it and get to the passenger terminal.

The charge to be paid for transportation of animals in the baggage compartment as checked baggage (AVIH) is:

• up to 8 kg – 130 EUR / 160 USD/ 120 GBP*;
• from 8 kg up to 32 kg – 150 EUR / 180 USD/ 130 GBP*;
• from 32 kg up to 50 kg – 180 EUR / 220 USD / 160 GBP*.

* Rate in USD is applicable only for Israel, rate in GBP – only for Great Britain. For all other points of sale the rate in EUR is applicable.

On the airline's flights, the carriage of live animals as checked baggage (SSR code «AVIH») is carried out in accordance with the IATA rules for the carriage of live animals (IATA LAR) and the local requirements of the country of departure, destination or transfer, subject to special conditions and requires mandatory advance booking of carriage. When booking the carriage of a live animal, the passenger must provide all the necessary information about the animal (number, weight of the animal, size and weight of the container, type and breed of animal, etc.).

Live animals are accepted for carriage in the baggage compartment of the airline's aircraft as checked baggage, subject to the following conditions:

• the health status of the animal is satisfactory and allows transportation to the final destination;
• animals should not show any signs of aggressiveness;
• animals should not be under the influence of tranquilizers (sedatives);
• recently whelped and pregnant animals, as well as animals under the age of 3 months are not accepted for carriage;
• the animal must be transported on the same flight as the owner of the animal, in accordance with the rules and requirements of the country of departure or destination, or transfer;
• the owner of the animal must have properly issued travel documents required for the carriage of the animal, in accordance with the requirements and regulations of the country of departure or destination or transfer;
• the animal is transported in a specialized container (cage), the dimensions of which must correspond to the size of the animal and the requirements for a comfortable stay in it during the flight. Soft-sided carries are not allowed for live animals transportation as checked baggage;
• the container should be spacious and durable enough with a waterproof;
• the door of the cage or container must be metal, close tightly and securely locked. Cage or container wheels must be locked or removed;
• for animals transported in the hold, there must be food and water inside the cage or container;
• the container is provided by the passenger himself. The container must be marked with a tag indicating the name, address and telephone number of the passenger for contact;
• for registration the animal is presented in a container;
• the container in which the animal is transported must undergo an security check;
• transportation of several live animals in one container is prohibited.

Carriage of live animals of brachycephalic breeds in aircraft hold as checked baggage or cargo is PROHIBITED.

Dogs classified as potentially dangerous breeds are transported only in the baggage compartment of the aircraft in reinforced containers.

The risk group of animals of brachycephalic breeds includes:

• dogs: Affenpinscher, Bulldog (all breeds except American Bulldog), Pug (all breeds), American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon, Bullmastiff, Bull Terrier, Chow Chow, King Charles Spaniel , Cane Corso, Japanese Chin, Japanese Spaniel, Lhasa Apso, Mastiff (all types), Pekingese, Pit Bull, Petit Brabancon, Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Tibetan Spaniel, Dogue de Bordeaux;
• cats: British Shorthair, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, Persian, Scottish Fold.

Carriage of snub-nosed animals as checked baggage or cargo in the hold is strictly forbidden on Belavia flights.

Snub-nosed animals may be carried in the cabin as hand luggage (SSR PETC) or as cabin baggage on a separate passenger’s seat (SSR CBBG).

Carriage of snub-nosed animals falls within the rules and requirements of pet transportation in the cabin (see Section «Transportation of animals in cabin as cabin luggage (PETC)» and «Transportation of animals in cabin on a separate passenger’s seat (CBBG)»).

When the blind/deaf passenger travels accompanied by a guide dog the dog is allowed to be carried free of charge. Its weight and size are not restricted. Carriage of a guide dog is booked at the same time that the flight is booked.

A guide dog must:

• accompany a deaf/blind passenger (a person needs to have a document confirming hearing and/or vision impairment);
• have a certificate confirming that it has been trained as a guide dog;
• be on a lead and in a muzzle;
• be healthy-looking, clean and have no odor;
• not occupy a place in the aisle or a passenger’s seat.

A passenger may be refused to carry a live animal for the following reasons:

• the carriage of the animal has not been paid in accordance with the approved tariff;
• there is no quota for the carriage of an animal on the flight;
• the carriage of the animal has not been previously agreed or confirmed;
• the breed of the dog does not correspond to that previously indicated by the passenger when requesting for carriage;
• there is a threat to the health and safety of others;
• the owner does not have a veterinary passport with a mark on the clinical examination of the animal and the necessary veterinary accompanying documents confirming that the animal is healthy and has the right to move;
• container, cage, soft carrying bag does not provide safe transportation and does not meet the airline's requirements;
• a dog transported in the passenger cabin without a container does not have a muzzle, collar or leash, or the owner does not control the dog's behavior (the dog does not respond to the owner's commands, shows unmotivated aggression towards others);
• the owner does not have the necessary veterinary accompanying documents, or at the time of the start of transportation, a ban or restriction was introduced on the import / export of animals by the passenger as baggage by the legislation of the country to / from or through the territory of which the transportation is carried out;
• there are other reasons preventing the airline from carrying the animal.

A live animal must meet the following requirements:

• be clean, healthy/safe and free from unpleasant odors;
• be not aggressive;
• not be under the influence of tranquilizers;
• not be pregnant;
• be at least three months old;
• do not disturb other passengers;
• stay in a cage (container or special bag) throughout the flight.

For transportation in the passenger cabin of the aircraft

Both soft and hard - sided containers are allowed for transportation of an animal in the cabin of the aircraft but only if the container complies with the standards established for cabin baggage. Soft-sided containers are not allowed for animals transportation as checked baggage.

The cage or container should be spacious and durable enough with a waterproof bottom and air vents on three sides. There must be enough space inside the cage or container for animals to naturally turn, stand, sit, or lie down. The cage or container should be tightly closed and securely locked.

The container must be clean. If it is used secondarily, it must be disinfected or sterilized.

For transportation in the baggage compartment of the aircraft

• The size of the container should allow the animal to stand up to its full height and rotate 360 degrees, and lie in a natural position.
• Animals in metal cages are not accepted for transportation.
• The owner of the animal is obliged to use a container (cage), the design and material of which allows safe transportation and protects the animal from damage during transportation.
• The container must be made of impact-resistant rigid material. The inner surface of the container should have smooth, rounded surfaces to exclude damage to the animal during transportation.The roof of the container must be solid.
• There should be vents / grilles at the top of the sides of the container to allow air to enter.
• The container door must be securely attached to the container so that the animal cannot knock it out. The size of the door cell should not exceed 25 × 25 mm in order to avoid getting the paws, nose or tail of the animal into the cell.
• The container must be securely closed with a lock, preventing spontaneous opening of the container, opening of the container by animals or unauthorized access to the animal in flight.
• The bottom of the container must be solid, waterproof, covered with an absorbent non-toxic material. The bottom of the container must be designed to prevent spillage of absorbent material.
• The container can be equipped with a water drinker.
• For transportation in the hold, the container must be equipped with handles for lifting and carrying it by two loaders.
• If the container is equipped with wheels, they must be removed or fixed in an inoperative position during transportation (when transporting in the hold).
• In the case of transportation of dogs classified as potentially dangerous breeds the door of the container must be metal, smooth. The upper and lower parts of the collapsible container must be connected to each other by metal bolts and nuts.

Recommended options for containers

The metal container (cage) is not suitable for transportation.

United Arab Emirates

Pets are not allowed in the cabin or the baggage compartment as handy luggage or baggage on flights to the UAE. Only as cargo.

Israel

New requirements of Israel on live animals.

1. Import of pets to Israel is controlled by the Regulations for Animal Diseases (Import of Animals), 1974 (henceforth, "the Regulations"), and according to the guidelines that have been published on the matter.
2. In the wake of the corona virus (covid-19) outbreak, the government has formulated a new regulation, Regulation for a Time of Emergency (New Corona Virus) (Quarantine instead of Government Quarantine Premises), 2020, that states that any Israeli citizen or resident who returns to Israel must be quarantined in government quarantine premises (henceforth, "hotel") for 14 days unless he received a written approval from the Ministry of Health that he was granted the possibility of alternative quarantine instead of hotel. Entry of pets to these hotels is forbidden. Therefore, in order to prevent the abandonment of pets who have arrived in Israel, it has been decided to further regulate the entry of pets to Israel.
3. Listed below are the guidelines derived from the decision:
   • All pets flaying to Israel must obtain a written approval letter from the veterinary services at Ben Gurion Airport, In order to receive permission to load the animal onto the aircraft, please contact the offices of the Veterinary Services at Ben Gurion Airport by telephone at 03-9792240 or via email at vs-airport@moag.gov.il.
   • All pets owner that must quarantined in government quarantine premises, require an import permit according to regulation 2(a) of the Regulations. c. In order to obtain an import permit, or in case that the pet owner must be quarantine in hotel, the traveler/importer will have to supply all details (name, complete address, contact details – landline telephone, mobile phone, and email) of the person or organization which will care for the animal during the entire time the traveler is in quarantine in the hotel. In case that the importer received from Ministry of Health a writen exemption from quarantine in hotel and grants him an alternative quarantine place he should submmit it to our office together with all the needed paper work.
   • Dog/cat accompanied by the owner( the owner recived written approval from the Ministry of Health that he/she can stay in home quarantine) don’t need to fly as catgo manifest.
   • In the event that an importer/traveller did not receive from the Ministry of Health an exemption (in writing) from quarantining in a hotel, the Veterinary Services at Ben Gurion Airport will confirm with the person or organization nominated by the importer/traveler to care for the animal while the importer/traveler is in quarantine, that they are willing to take responsibility for the animal for the full time required, and that they will come to fetch the animal from the airport upon its arrival.
   • The animal and importer/traveller must meet all the veterinary health requirements of the Veterinary Services regarding pet imports/entrance.
   • Importers/travelers that have landed at the airport from overseas are not permitted tocome to the offices of the Veterinary Services or the cargo terminal in order to release the animal. Such individuals may employ the services of a customs agent or other private individual who has not been overseas and is not under any movement restrictions.
4. Pets that arrive in Israel in a manner not in accordance with the above regulations will be confiscated by the Veterinary Services or sent back to the country of origin.
5. If a pet arrives in Israel in a manner not fitting with the above regulations, legal steps will be taken against the traveler/importer and the airline that brought the animal. The traveler/importer and airline company will also be required to cover all costs associated with returning the animal to its country origin and/or care of the said animal.

Great Britain

The transportation of live animals as cargo, luggage, carry-on baggage from the Republic of Belarus to the points on the territory of Great Britain (London, Manchester) on BELAVIA flights IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

The return transportation of live animals from Great Britain to the Republic of Belarus on BELAVIA flights is permitted.