Transporting live animals is never a routine cargo operation, and moving more than a hundred horses by air requires an exceptional level of planning. That is exactly what Chapman Freeborn Group and Intradco Global achieved after completing the transport of 121 Mongolian horses between Ulaanbaatar and Hanoi during a carefully managed operation lasting 38 hours.
The charter was carried out using three consecutive Boeing 757 freighter flights. In the course of the operation, 51 horses were flown to Vietnam, 20 returned on the return flight and another 50 horses were moved on the last outward trip. All of this was coordinated as one rotation to keep the schedule moving smoothly and to ensure the animals were transported safely.
Those flights had weeks of preparation behind them. Unlike conventional cargo, moving horses means everything has to be about the wellbeing of the animals. Choosing aircraft, loading procedures, travel documentation, coordination between airports and constant surveillance throughout the journey all play a vital role in making the operation a success.
The project was managed by Chapman Freeborn’s Asia Pacific team in close collaboration with Intradco Global, the group’s specialist division for live animal transport, ensuring every stage of the journey was carefully planned and executed.
“Operations like this demonstrate the value of teamwork,” said Latha Narayan, President of Asia Pacific at Chapman Freeborn. “Transporting live animals is more than simply finding an aircraft, it is about bringing together the right team, planning carefully and applying specialist knowledge to ensure that each part of the journey is managed with the utmost care.
The charter was also particularly meaningful because it involved horses taking part in a wider bilateral programme. Some were returning after spending several years abroad, while others were beginning a new journey. The operation also reunited members of the animal care team who had participated in the original movement, bringing valuable experience and continuity to the project.
Charlie McMullen, CEO of Intradco Global, said horse transport remains one of the most demanding areas of air cargo. From the moment the animals are prepared for departure until they arrive at their destination, every decision is made with their safety and welfare in mind.
