Emirates SkyCargo, the freight division of Emirates, has successfully transported some of the worlds best show jumping horses across three continents within a month. The horses were transported from Liege in Belgium to compete in the first three legs of the Longines Global Champions Tour in Mexico City, Miami and Shanghai in April 2017. The air cargo carrier operated a total of 10 dedicated freighter flights each carrying 25 horse stalls to transport the equine champions and their grooms. Emirates SkyCargo worked closely with Peden Bloodstock, a specialist in horse transportation to manage the complex logistics involved in flying close to 100 horses across four different countries within the space of a few weeks.
The air cargo carrier operated a total of 10 dedicated freighter flights, each carrying 25 horse stalls, to transport the equine champions and their grooms. Emirates SkyCargo worked closely with Peden Bloodstock, a specialist in horse transportation, to manage the complex logistics involved in flying close to 100 horses across four different countries within the space of a few weeks.
Mexico City and Miami
Emirates SkyCargo transported 93 horses in two flights from Liege to Mexico City for the first segment of the journey between March 31 and April 1, 2017. The horses, each weighing between 600-650 kgs, were transported in Emirates SkyCargo Boeing 777F freighters along with 11 accompanying grooms and about 30 tonnes of equipment. The flights lasted close to 12 hours and the horses arrived at their destination a few days ahead of the start of the championships. The second leg of the tour involved a relatively shorter three-hour hop for the 93 horses from Mexico City to Miami onboard Emirates SkyCargo freighters. At the close of the event in Miami, the horses were brought back to Liege on 16 April 2017.
Shanghai
For the next stop on the itinerary, the air cargo carrier transported 96 horses and 27 grooms in three separate flights from Liege to Shanghai on April 22-23, 2017 and back on May 1-2, 2017. The jet-setting horses had approximately one week on the ground at each destination to compete in tournaments before being transported to the next stop on their itinerary.
Emirates SkyCargo combines state-of-the-art facilities including a modern fleet of wide-bodied aircraft and custom designed horse stalls along with logistical arrangements on the ground by working with specialists such as Peden Bloodstock. The result is a calm and comfortable environment that ensures the well-being of horses while at the same time complying with all international norms for the transport of live animals.