Air Charter Service (ACS) has arranged the charter to transport two dolphins for rehoming from the Netherlands to the Canary Islands.

The dolphins, Sting and Makai, travelled on an Antonov AN-74 aircraft with qualified vets in attendance from Maastricht Aachen Airport to Las Palmas Airport before being transported to the botanical zoo, Palmitos Park. The animals had been living at Harderwijk Dolphinarium before moving to Palmitos Park.

ACS Spain director, James Fitzgerald says: “A lot of careful planning was needed to ensure that the dolphins were comfortable, yet secure and safe on board the aircraft. The total transit time was not to exceed twelve hours, so we positioned the aircraft early, before they set off from their previous home.”

“Whilst on board we regulated the cabin pressure in order to avoid any potential sickness or distress to be caused by the altitude. Every precaution was taken and we hear they are now enjoying their new, sunnier, home.”