Airlink is stepping up the fight against the multi-billion dollar illegal wildlife trade, implementing a company-wide training programme on processes and supply chain interventions to identify and combat the illegal wildlife trade.
Pangolins are the worlds most trafficked animal. This was a rescued pangolin in Limpopo. Picture: Getaway Gallery
The illegal wildlife trade is one of the most lucrative of global crimes, valued between $50-150 billion per year. The programme, run by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and United for Wildlife (UFW), will involve training of Airlink staff, including the cabin crew, check-in clerks, ground handling and cargo personal across the airline’s entire network of South African and Southern African regional destinations.
Airlink will also be launching a customer awareness campaign for travellers and shippers of airfreight consignments. This programme is an expansion of Airlinks commitment under the 2016 Buckingham Palace Declaration, and as a member of the UFW task force.
‘Airlink took a stand against the illegal wildlife trade by signing the landmark 2016 Buckingham Palace Declaration and becoming a member of the United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce. Now we are taking this commitment even further by implementing the global best practices developed under the IATA/UFW Illegal Wildlife Trade programme,’ said Airlink CEO and Managing Director, Rodger Foster.
Training will commence this month, with courses covering an introduction to the trade, what to look out for and the protocols in reporting and handling wildlife products.
Certification of the company’s programmes are subject to an independent audit and will entitle Airlink to display a special symbol as a public hallmark to signify its commitment to stopping the illegal wildlife trade.
