Traveling to London Gatwick with pets?

Here is some updated news for those of you planning on flying to London Gatwick airport with your dog, cat or other pets!

On July 1, 2008 the Animal Health Division of DEFRA approved British Airways World Cargo for the carriage of unaccompanied dogs, cats and ferrets under the Pet Travel Scheme (PTS) from Non European origins into London Gatwick Airport (LGW).

Unaccompanied dogs, cats and ferrets will be cleared at the LGW Animal Reception Centre (ARC), for Veterinary inspection between the hours of 07:30 and 17:00, Monday to Friday only.

Please note that unaccompanied dogs, cats and ferrets, traveling under the Pet Travel Scheme, will not be allowed carriage on BA flights arriving into LGW on a Saturday, Sunday or a UK Public Holiday.

For any unaccompanied dogs, cats and ferrets traveling under the Pet Travel Scheme, arriving on a BA flight where the scheduled time of arrival is before 07:30, Monday to Friday, the animal(s) will be transferred to the LGW ARC to await Veterinary inspection for clearance.

Unaccompanied Pet Travel Scheme animals require a TRACES entry to produce a Common Veterinary Entry Document (CVED) upon arrival at the London Gatwick ARC. For British Airways customers, the TRACES entry charge has been incorporated in their existing PTS fee of USD 500.00.

British Airways World Cargo will continue to collect all charges at origin point, with no additional monies to be collected at time of animal pick up at destination (LGW).

This is great news and we recommend using British Airways when possible!