Ask Major Airlines to Stop Transporting Nonhuman Primates Destined for Use in Research Laboratories
March 7, 2013
In another victory for primates, China Eastern Airlines agreed on March 1, 2013 to end the transport of primates to research labs. On January 8, 2013, United Airlines, which merged with Continental Airlines in 2010, announced that: “We do not book, accept or transport non-human primates to or from medical research facilities domestically or internationally." With the announcement from United Airlines, there are no remaining North American airline carriers transporting primates for research purposes.
In December, Air Canada also announced that it would no longer transport nonhuman primates bound for use in research facilities in large part because of the power of public opinion. Air Canada and United Airlines join a long list of other airlines that have stopped transporting nonhuman primates for research purposes, including American, Delta, Lufthansa, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Air China and many others.
While we celebrate these recent announcements as a victory, three major airlines still participate in the transport of research primates: Air France, Philippine Airlines, and Vietnam Airlines. We need to keep the momentum going and use the power of public opinion to pressure these remaining airlines to stop this cruel practice.
Please contact the airlines that continue to transport nonhuman primates destined for use in laboratories and urge them to stop this practice.
