Thai Airways International Introduces Preventive Avian Flu Measures

Thai Airways International has introduced measures to prevent the spread of avian flu while transporting cargo and mail. THAI has also prohibited the transport of live birds and poultry in the passenger cabin in order to reassure passengers.

Mr. Kanok Abhiradee, THAI’s President, said the airline has increased preventive measures to combat the spread of avian flu by prohibiting live birds and poultry in the cabin on domestic flights, which began on 28 January 2004 onwards.

As for THAI’s cargo and mail operations, the airline has introduced the following procedures:

Transport for Export Purposes

- Embargo placed on the transport of live birds and poultry from farms or areas that the Government has identified as affected areas.

Applicable Documents 

- Animal health certificate 

- Transportation permit within the kingdom, stating the animal’s origins

- Permit for import to final destination

- Customs Release Permit (form 99/1) 

All documents must be approved by the Department of Livestock, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, complete with stamp of approval.

Transport for Import Purposes

- Embargo on import of live birds and poultry from affected countries, especially Vietnam, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Kampuchea, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Korea, Pakistan, Laos, and China (Guangxi).

Applicable Documents

- Animal health certificate containing all pertinent details of packaging, quantity, weight, name, address, and registration number of the abattoir and manufacturer, name and address of exporter and receiver, date of processing, manufacture, packaging and export, and certification conditions of each type of live birds and poultry.

- Transportation permit for live birds and poultry from an infection-free destination 

- Transportation permit for airport transport

- Import permit for Thailand issued by the Department of Livestock, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives

All certificates and permits must be approved by the Department of Livestock, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, with stamp of approval.

THAI has also introduced preventive measures for airline staff, stressing the importance of proper cleaning and disinfecting procedures during contamination period as required by the Department of Livestock. The airline has also cancelled all chicken menus on all flights, both domestic and international, and is offering a selection of alternative menus.