Brussels Airport and Intradco Global have transported 86 horses to the Middle East – the largest export of horses on one aircraft from Europe.

The mixture of Warmbloods and Arabian horses yesterday, travelled in one of the largest cargo aircraft in operation – a Boeing 747-400 Freighter.

Brussels Airport head of cargo, Steven Polmans says: “A horse transport of this size asks for a lot of flexibility and organisational expertise. Flights that carry 30 to 40 horses, or 50 at most, are not uncommon. A shipment of 86 horses on one flight is very exceptional, even a first in Europe.

“These past years, our cargo department has gained its international reputation primarily for the shipment of smaller packages, and more specifically pharmaceutical products.

“But we also have considerable experience and expertise in organising complex shipments, such as horse transport.”

The horses were transported in 28 specially designed stables at the ground handler, Swissport’s warehouse.

Intradco Global director, Charlie McMullen adds: “Brussels Airport was able to offer the customised services we needed, such as additional room to load the horses into specialised “Air stables” and special access for our horse grooms and other loading assistants.

“Together with Swissport we were able to ensure that the aircraft was parked as close to the warehouse as possible in order to make the journey to the aircraft as short as possible.”

Picture courtesy of Tom D’Haenens from the Brussels Airport Company