Flight Support Issue No Lab Animal Policy

Following receiving information that Airbase Flight Support have in recent years acted as ground handling agents in the transport of primates and beagles through Manchester Airport, we contacted the company and have been in discussion with management.

Today, we received the following statement:

As I explained yesterday, Airbase Flight Support do not handle charters carrying primates, or dogs anymore, nor do we intend to.

At the time of handling these types of flight, opinions varied from:

1. Total acceptance
2. Unhappy about the publicity
3. Unhappy with principle.

After changes within AFS Manchester management, 2 & 3 remain within AFS, 1 left with a former manager of AFS and the precious cargo business.

Please be advised that the handling of this type of flights are categorised as "precious cargo"

Best regards
Andy Redmond
Operations Director"

As less and less companies based at Manchester International Airport are willing to handle lab animals, we have already identified the new company involved in ground handling, who will be released over the coming days. News has also reached us that there were troubles with a flight importing primates into MIA yesterday evening, with a number of airlines passing the buck and not wanting to be involved in the transport of the animal shipment. Again, we have identified the airlines involved and will be releasing their details shortly.

It is currently unclear whether both Aeronova and ZorEx will continue to be involved, however we currently await statements from both ending the transport of primates for experimentation.