- Cathay Cargo transported around 60 elite showjumping horses from Liège, Belgium to Hong Kong on a chartered Boeing 747 freighter for the Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show, ensuring a calm, competition-ready arrival through specialised aircraft conditions and routing.
- The operation was delivered by Cathay Cargo’s specialist live animal teams, combining IATA-compliant travel stalls, optimised flight paths, CEIV Live Animals-certified processes, priority ground handling, and in-flight monitoring by trained crew and professional grooms.
- Building on last year’s success, the project highlights Cathay Cargo’s growing expertise in high-stakes live animal logistics and reinforces its position as a trusted partner for world-class equine events, supported by Asia’s first IATA CEIV Live Animals certification.
Cathay Cargo has successfully transported around 60 elite showjumping horses from Europe to Hong Kong for the Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show, taking place at AsiaWorld-Expo from 30 January to 1 February 2026.
Building on the success of last year’s event, Cathay Cargo’s specialist teams orchestrated a complex logistics operation to transport the equine athletes on a 12-hour journey from Liège in Belgium, a central location with a well-equipped cargo airport and stabling facilities, to Hong Kong International Airport aboard a chartered Boeing 747 freighter. The Boeing 747 aircraft’s spacious main deck and temperature-controlled environment provide optimal conditions for safe, comfortable long-haul travel, ensuring the horses arrive calm and competition-ready.
Dominic Perret, Cathay Director Cargo, said: “Transporting these world-class equine athletes is both a privilege and a huge responsibility. We understand the pressure riders and owners face ahead of elite competition, which is why our role is to eliminate travel as a source of stress. Our expertise in live animal logistics has seen a year-on-year tonnage growth in this segment, and supporting this world-class event reinforces our position as the trusted partner for high-stakes animal transport.”
Reimagining the live animal transport experience
As demand for live animal cargo continues to rise globally, Cathay Cargo’s approach goes beyond simply moving animals from origin to destination. The airline’s Live Animal solution is built on three core principles:
Creature comfort: International Air Transport Association (IATA) compliant travel stalls ensure proper ventilation, space and safety.
Charting the right path: Optimised routing minimises stops and transit time to reduce stress.
Flying with trust: Industry-leading Center of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) Live Animals certification upholds the highest welfare standards.
These flights are supported by expert human care. Horses benefit from priority ground handling and slow-speed tarmac transfers. In the air, CEIV-certified crew monitor and adjust cargo-hold temperature and airflow, while professional grooms accompany the horses with full access to ensure their welfare throughout the journey.
Jo Peck, Event Director at HPower International, said: “For an international event like this, the stakes are incredibly high — there’s no margin for uncertainty when dealing with equine athletes. That’s why we’re pleased to partner with Cathay Cargo for the second year, as they combine meticulous care and understanding of horses with the discipline of a world-class cargo operation. It’s the assurance and peace of mind they provide that means the riders and organisers can focus on the show.”
Cathay Cargo is the first carrier in Asia to achieve IATA’s prestigious CEIV Live Animals certification, a standard that reflects deep expertise in handling complex, high-value animal shipments across species.
