Turkish Airlines not to carry tameless animal to Turkey

By Tuba Sahin

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish Airlines will not carry tameless animals to Turkey from any countries both on passenger and cargo planes to stem the spread of coronavirus, the national flag carrier announced Thursday.

The move came after the General Directorate of Food and Control of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry suspended entry into Turkey of exotic animals and invertebrates, amphibians, ferrets, reptiles, and rodents from all countries for any purpose, either accompanied by passengers or transported by cargo.

Transporting pets such as dogs, cats, birds and ornamental fish on Turkish Airlines aircraft is permitted if accompanied by passengers and hold non-commercial international pet passports, the company underlined.

Both the pet and its human companion are required to undergo a 14-day quarantine after arriving in Turkey, it added.