CargoLogicAir (CLA), Britain’s only maindeck cargo airline, has demonstrated its expertise in moving live animals with two Boeing 747 freighter flights delivering elite racehorses from the United States to Europe.
The flights at the end of October from Atlanta to London Stansted and from Chicago to Shannon in the Republic of Ireland followed CargoLogicAir being awarded a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) licence.
Onboard the first flight to London, CargoLogicAir ensured the safe passage of two high value warmblood mares for its customer, Horse America. The horses will participate in the UK’s famous Tattersalls’ Newmarket Sales of thoroughbred bloodstock in December.
Six days later, the second CargoLogicAir flight from Chicago safely transported 80 flat and hurdles racehorses, with an average weight of 500 kg each, on behalf of Intradco Global, one of the world’s leading livestock air charter specialists. The horses had been acquired in the annual Keeneland sales in Kentucky, which attracts hundreds of bloodstock experts from across the globe.
Prior to each departure, the horses were issued with a signed Health Certificate by the United States Department of Agriculture before beginning their journeys in special horse stalls to ensure their comfort and safety. Throughout the flights, they also received plenty of hay and other supplies and were monitored by trained and experienced grooms, who were employed by CLA’s customers to accompany the precious cargo during the entire journey by air and road. All procedures were completed in compliance with IATA’s Live Animals Regulations, ensuring all of the horses arrived at their destinations fit and healthy.
David Kerr, CEO of CargoLogicAir, commented: “When we perform live cargo transportations such as deliveries of high value bloodstock, our prime focus is to guarantee the safety, comfort and well-being of the animals. Live cargo transportation is one of CLA’s key areas of expertise and has been one of our fastest-growing sectors in 2018. Gaining our USDA licence reflects the quality of service we provide and represents another important milestone for us because it enables CargoLogicAir to connect the biggest horse markets in the world between the UK, Europe and the US. This increases our ability to meet the needs of our cargo customers in this market segment and will open up new business opportunities for us.”
Dane Riecker, Equine Agent for Intradco Global said: “We were glad to see our partnership with equine charters is thriving. The growing fleet and reliability of CargoLogicAir mean we have a good long-term partner for future horse movements, and we are looking forward to some exciting projects in 2019.”
Scarlette Gotwals, Director Flight Operations for Horse America, noted: “We were very pleased with your service and the willingness of your ground handlers to work with the horses. We especially appreciated your knowledge and professionalism setting up this first horse flight for CLA. We look forward to working together with your team on future flights.”
CLA’s ability to provide such transportations will also be enhanced by the arrival of its fourth Boeing 747 freighter, which joined the airline’s fleet last month.
