Traveling with Pets

• Animals that do not meet the requirements for transportation inside the cabin or that exceed the space available in the cabin, will be transported in the cargo hold, in climate-controlled compartment;
• Animals should be carried only in properly sealed containers;
• Containers must be strong, secure and rigid;
• The maximum dimensions for transportation in hold on SATA Air Açores and Azores Airlines flights are 100 cm (length) x 78 cm (width) x 69 cm (height), but can be under depending on the length, width and height of your pet;
• Handling bars and handles must be included in the construction of the container so that it can be safely handled and loaded;
• Containers must be properly ventilated to a correct air circulation;
• One end of the container (such as the door) must be open and covered with bars, welded mesh or soft expanded metal firmly fixed to the container so that the animal isn’t able to move it;
• Doors must be completely secure and reinforced to prevent any accidental opening.

Container requirements for transportation in the cargo compartment:

• Construction materials: Fiberglass, rigid plastic, metal, solid wood or plywood.

A = Animal’s length from the nose to the tail’s root;                      
B = Height from the ground to the elbow;                      
C = Distance between shoulders;                      
D = Animal’s height in position (top of the head for pets with non-erect ears up - the tips of the ears for pets with erect ears).

- The container’s length must be equal to: A + 1/2 B. (domestic flights) A + B (international flights);                      
- The width of the container must be equal to Cx2 (domestic flights) and (C + 3cm) x 2 (international flights);                      
- The height (flat or rounded top) must be equal to D (domestic flights) and D +7cm (international flights).

1 = Handles                      
2 = Side ventilation                      
3 = Locking pins                      
4 = Handle bars                      
5 = Plastic brackets

• Plastic doors are allowed, provided that the hinges and pins are made of metal and sufficiently thickened to ensure their attachment;
• Large doors require additional hinges and two or three secure fixation methods to be totally safe (plastic brackets or pins);
• Ventilation openings must be small enough to prevent that no part of the animal's body contacts with the exterior;
• If the container has wheels, they must be removed or blocked;
• The sides of the container must be solid and must contain holes or mesh for proper ventilation;
• The inside must be smooth and without protrusions that the animal can bite or scratch, causing any kind of damage or compromising the security of the container;
• The upper part of the container must be solid, but ventilation holes are allowed over the entire surface, as long as the safety of the container is not compromised;
• Food and water containers must be inside the container with access from the outside to use in case of delays or in transfer/stopovers, following the indications of assistance provided by the owner or an authorized person. If sealed, an extra dose of food should be strapped to the outside of the container;
• Fish transportation must be carried out in a strong plastic bag inserted in containers made of water resistant material, such as plastic, wood, expanded polystyrene or Styrofoam;
• Certain species require reinforced or metal containers due to its size and weight.

List of animal species accepted for transport in the cargo compartment:

• Dogs, cats, and ferrets;
• Other small domestic animals (guinea pigs, hamsters, chinchillas, rabbits, tortoises/turtles, aquarium fish, and some species of birds).

Transport of brachycephalic breeds of dogs and cats (snub nosed breeds)

The anatomy of dogs and cats of breeds with a flat nose disposes the occurrence of respiratory problems. Passengers traveling with pets of these breeds should be familiar with their special needs and should be aware of the possible risks involved in the trip.

European Flights

It’s necessary to remark that on flights to/from the European Union (except countries where specific rules apply as the United Kingdom, Swedish and Malta), according to Reg. EU 998/2003, passengers carrying Dogs, Cats and Ferrets over 3 months or more must present:

• Electronic identification by micro chipping or legible tattoo (preferably applied before July 3rd, 2011). Any vaccination against rabies before the identification is not considered valid;
• Proof of valid anti rabid vaccination or revaccination done when the animal was at least 3 months old. The anti-rabies vaccination will be considered valid 21 days after completing the primary vaccination or immediately after revaccination, as long as the protocols and the expiration periods required by the manufacturer are respected.

For other animals: Health certificate issued by a veterinarian authorized by the competent authority stating that the animal has all health conditions and is fit to travel to the final destination, issued within 5 days before the scheduled departure date.

Note: SATA Azores Airlines is not authorized to transport live animals to/from United Kingdom in the aircraft cabin and cargo compartments.

Flights originating in Third Countries and returning to Portugal

Dogs, cats and ferrets:

When the animals originate from a country or territory without any risk of rabies (Canada, United States of America and others):

• Electronic identification by micro chipping or legible tattoo (preferably applied before July 3rd, 2011). Any vaccination against rabies before the identification is not considered valid;
• Proof of valid anti rabid vaccination or revaccination, made when the animal was at least 3 months old. The anti-rabies vaccination will be considered valid 21 days after the completion of the primary vaccination or immediately after revaccination, as long as the protocols and the expiration periods required by the manufacturer are respected.
• Health certificate validated by an official authority if it was filled by an authorized veterinarian when coming from third countries.

Note: The reintroduction of animals who have moved to countries outside the EU is allowed with the presentation of the Pet Passport, avoiding the achievement of an official certificate in those countries. However, it is necessary to comply with the health conditions established in those countries and conduct blood analysis for verification of the number of antibodies with respect to the disease (antibody titration), if applicable. In this case, before departing from Portugal or from another UE country, the passport must be filled by an authorized veterinarian.

- The control of these animals in structures called Travelers' Entry Points (ports and airports) is mandatory. The owner must notify the competent authority in the Traveler’s Entry Point in writing. The notification must be made by the owner or authorized person, designated and authorized through a form, available at www.dgv.min-agricultura.pt, completed in the 48 hours before the arrival of the animals.

For other domestic animals (except dogs, cats and ferrets):

• An authorization from the DGAV (Portuguese National Authority for Animal Health) validating the required health conditions for the transportation of the species is necessary.
• Specific health documentation as a health certificate stating, when applicable, the health conditions required by the DGAV (Portuguese National Authority for Animal Health).

Considerations:

The requirements for entry and import of pets vary depending on the destination, type of animal and country of origin.                      
Before booking for your pet, consult the authorities of the country of destination.                      
If your pet has to return to Portugal, take into account the requirements described above, on flights originating in Third Countries and returning to Portugal.

You should also check your pet's entry conditions:

• United States of America
  • United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) - www.aphis.usda.gov
  • Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - www.cdc.gov
  • Serviço Nacional de importação/ exportação - Telefone: (301) 851-3300 / e-mail: VS.Live.Animal.Import.Export@aphis.usda.gov
• Canada
  • Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) - inspection.gc.ca
• Europe, Portugal mainland, the Azores, Madeira and Cape Verde
  • Direção de Serviços de Alimentação e Veterinária Regionais – www.dgav.pt
  • Autoridade Nacional de Conservação da Natureza, o Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas (ICNF) - www.icnf.pt

When animals originate from a country or territory with risk of rabies (Brazil, Venezuela, Ukraine, Africa, and others), in addition to the valid identification and the anti-rabid vaccination, it’s also necessary:

• Blood test for checking the number of sufficient antibodies for rabies (carried out in laboratories approved by the EU, at least 1 month after vaccination against rabies, whether it’s the first time the animal is vaccinated, whether it’s a revaccination);
• Compliance with a period of 3 months until the animals are moved to Portugal, counting from the date of blood collection for the aforementioned analysis. (However, this period of 3 months does not apply to the return of an animal that has left the community space with this analysis carried out with a favorable result, provided that the conditions mentioned above are met);
• Health certificate validated by an official authority, if it was filled by an authorized veterinarian when coming from third countries.
• The control of these animals in structures called Travelers' Entry Points (ports and airports) is mandatory. The owner must notify the competent authority in the Traveler’s Entry Point in writing. The notification must be made by the owner or authorized person, designated and authorized through a form, available at www.dgv.min-agricultura.pt, completed in the 48 hours before the arrival of the animals.

Please consider the following information:

• Values indicated above will be charged per route and in the local currency.
• If your trip includes flights operated by other airlines, other rules may apply. On trips involving flights operated by SATA Air Açores and Azores Airlines, Azores Airlines rules apply.

Please consider the following information:

• Values indicated above will be charged per route and in the local currency.
• If your trip includes flights operated by other airlines, other rules may apply. On trips involving flights operated by SATA Air Açores and Azores Airlines, Azores Airlines rules apply.

Please consider the following information:

• Values indicated above will be charged per route and in the local currency.
• If your trip includes flights operated by other airlines, other rules may apply. On trips involving flights operated by SATA Air Açores and Azores Airlines, Azores Airlines rules apply.