Cochin Airport Imports its First Pet from Doha

Kochi: A short while after they were certified to export pets for international pet travel, the Cochin International Airport has now imported its first pet as well. Eva, a one-year-old mixed breed cat became the first pet to be imported to the CIAL from Doha, landing at Nedumbaserry airport at 10:17 AM aboard Air India flight AI 954. 

The newly established AQCS (Animal Quarantine and Certification Services) facility at the airport allows pet parents to travel internationally with their pets to and from Kerala. “CIAL provided excellent service. The customs and immigration procedures were hassle-free, and the entire process was well-coordinated. I’m grateful for the smooth handling of my beloved pet’s arrival,” said K.A Ramachandran, from Chelakkara, Thrissur.

The pet export services were initially introduced in July. Currently, CIAL is the only airport in Kerala offering pet import/export services with the approach of AQCS and under the central animal husbandry department. 

The dedicated AQCS facility at the airport was inaugurated on October 10, aiming to prevent the international transfer of zoonotic diseases. Before then, pets could only be imported through six entry points in India, namely Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.

Up to this point, residents of Kerala had to import their pets through Chennai airport. “This caused inconvenience to passengers who had to travel further by road to the state. The new facility will reduce the cost and effort of importing animals to Kerala, offering a more convenient option,” an airport official said.

Pet parents who want to import their pets must start the authorization and application process at least two months before the planned date of travel. According to sources, the pet import quarantine facility at the airport was made possible through the efforts of Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, George Kurian.