London Oxford Airport embraces updated Pet Travel Scheme.

Wednesday 27th July 2011

From 01 January 2012, it will become cheaper and easier to travel abroad with pets when new rules are introduced. The UK will harmonise its pet movement rules with the rest of the EU, bringing the UK's Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) into line with the most recent European-wide pet importation regulations.

PETS is the control measure to prevent rabies and other diseases entering the UK via the importation of pets. Domestic pets have previously had to spend six months in quarantine when arriving in the UK, a practice dating from the 1800s - this was changed for certain EU nations and other approved countries with the implementation of tick & tapeworm treatment requirements under PETS alongside the pet passport programme but some of this will no longer be necessary.

All pets will still need to be vaccinated against rabies but tick treatments before flying in to the UK will no longer be required and tapeworm treatments are still undecided at EU level but are also potentially to be dropped. This will cease the need for a trip to the overseas vet before returning to the UK with your pet and applies to all EU and approved countries.

The rules on quarantine periods for pets arriving from other nations will also change, no more six month quarantine period and a general shortening of the time between which a rabies vaccine must be administered to the pet, the need for a blood test and the time before which the pet can enter the UK.

London Oxford Airport is the only General Aviation/Business Aviation Airport for the West of London region with full DEFRA (Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs). Owners of dogs and cats can transport them on flights into the Airport from overseas on approved aircraft operators only. An increasing number of operators are signing up the scheme as they see the flexibility of the PETS quarantine exemption process of critical benefit to their service offering.

With a dedicated team trained to process the paperwork and to meet and greet pets and their owners/handlers on arrival to undertake necessary pre-disembarkation checks, London Oxford Airport provides a hassle-free option for anyone wishing to travel with their furry friends. Flights with pets onboard can also be cleared through Oxford for onwards travel elsewhere into the UK and beyond to Ireland, the Channel Islands and Isle of Man where restrictions do not apply to pets imported via the UK.

London Oxford Airport, located outside the congested London Terminal Movement Area (LTMA) is ideally positioned as a viable choice for London. Located just 40 miles from Greater London and with easy access via the UK's motorway network, Oxford is served by the fastest and least congested of London's key arterial routes - it's just an hour's drive into London's West End. The airport's standard opening hours are 06:30 to 22:30, seven days a week and visitors have use of Oxfordjet, the airport's award-winning VIP FBO terminal.

Photo Caption: Laura Conaty - Oxfordjet Pet Handling & Customer ServicesCapt John Hill - Oxford-based pilotKhai - Black Labrador and Thames Valley resident!

www.londonoxfordairport.comwww.oxfordjet.com