• Chapman Freeborn and other private aviation specialists are preparing for falconry season by transporting valuable live falcons across the Middle East and beyond, offering tailored services for royal families and high-net-worth individuals
• Private jets provide safety, comfort, and compliance advantages over commercial airlines, accommodating specialised cages, hoods, and even live prey while maintaining strict temperature and welfare standards
• Falconry flights are a growing global business, particularly in the Gulf, reflecting the birds’ cultural significance, high investment value, and the broader influence of specialist live animal transport on aviation logistics

As the falconry season approaches once again, aviation charter specialists are preparing for one of their most unusual and high-profile services: transporting live falcons by private jet. Among the companies leading the way is Chapman Freeborn, which has developed expertise in this highly specialised niche.

The falconry season, running from October to March, is peak time for falcon movements, especially across the Middle East where the sport enjoys enormous cultural prestige. For Chapman Freeborn, it represents not just business as usual but an opportunity to handle some of the most valuable “passengers” in the skies.

Chapman Freeborn’s role in falconry flights

“Falcons are both culturally significant and of exceptional value across the Middle East,” notes a Chapman Freeborn spokesperson. “Some prized birds are valued at hundreds of thousands of dollars, making them among the most precious live cargo entrusted to aviation.”

The company offers tailored falcon charter services for royal families and high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs). Depending on requirements, this could mean a small group of birds travelling alongside their handlers in a light jet, or dozens of falcons carefully managed across a large private aircraft. In either case, the goal is the same: safe, compliant, and comfortable transportation.

Private jets offer an advantage here, as mainstream airlines tend not to cater for such complex live animal movements. “As you can well imagine, transporting falcons is not something that airlines deal with very often,” the company explains. “Every charter involves careful compliance checks and coordination with relevant authorities to meet international standards.”

When it comes to seating, falcons enjoy options that might surprise those outside the world of falconry. Birds may travel on dedicated stands, in specialised cages or even strapped into regular passenger seats covered with protective sheeting. Hoods, standard equipment in falconry, keep the birds calm during flight, while trainers and handlers sit nearby to ensure they are well looked after.

There are even considerations around their food. If live prey such as pigeons is being transported along with the birds, the aircraft must maintain a specific hold temperature. This adds another layer of complexity but it’s all part of the package for experienced charter specialists.

Over the years, Chapman Freeborn has managed countless falcon flights, sometimes at very short notice. One week might involve a single bird and its owner, the next might call for 20 or more birds, trainers, and equipment – a logistical ballet that requires careful planning. The company prides itself on using falcon-friendly aircraft and on mediating between clients’ preferences and operators’ safety requirements.

Why falcons fly private

But Chapman Freeborn is far from the only operator engaged in this unusual trade. The transport of falcons by air is a growing global business, with private aviation at its heart. Commercial airlines do occasionally allow falcons in cabin – Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways all have policies for falcon travel – but the experience is limited, and restrictions can be off-putting for elite falconers. Private jets offer privacy, flexibility, and a higher standard of care, all of which are appealing to royal families and wealthy enthusiasts.

The practice also makes economic sense for owners. Falcons are not just sporting animals; they can be an investment worth six or even seven figures. In 2023, reports from the International Falcon Breeders Auction in Saudi Arabia highlighted birds selling for over £300,000 apiece. With values like this, the cost of a private charter is seen as a justifiable safeguard.

Global spread of falconry flights

Although the Middle East is the epicentre of modern falconry, the phenomenon is not confined to the region. Falconry itself is one of humanity’s oldest hunting traditions, with roots stretching back more than 4,000 years. It remains UNESCO-listed as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage, practised in more than 90 countries.

In Europe, falconry has long been a pastime of aristocracy, and although its use in hunting has waned, falconers remain active. Birds are flown at country estates, used in conservation work, and even employed in pest control at airports, vineyards and stadiums. North America, too, has a thriving falconry community, with tens of thousands of licensed falconers across the United States.

Private jet falcon transport, however, is most visible in the Gulf region, where falconry is a sport of kings. Wealthy owners in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar are the most frequent users of such services. In some cases, falcons even have their own passports – issued by the UAE since 2002 – allowing them to travel more easily between countries. By 2020, more than 28,000 falcon passports had reportedly been issued.

Balancing heritage and luxury

Critics sometimes raise eyebrows at the idea of birds travelling in private jets while much of the world debates aviation’s carbon footprint. Supporters, however, argue that falconry is a deep cultural tradition deserving of respect, and that the welfare of the birds is paramount. From a neutral standpoint, both perspectives are valid. What is certain is that the practice is unlikely to disappear any time soon, given the combination of heritage, wealth and modern aviation solutions.

Interestingly, the logistics of falcon air transport are also influencing the way aviation firms think about specialist live animal carriage more broadly. Lessons learned in handling falcons – from regulatory compliance to inflight welfare – are transferable to the wider live animal transport sector.

Looking ahead

For Chapman Freeborn and its peers, falconry season is more than just another busy period. It is a chance to showcase an ability to solve one of aviation’s trickiest challenges: moving priceless live animals across borders with safety, care, and precision.

While most of us will never find ourselves boarding a jet with a dozen hooded falcons in tow, the very existence of this niche tells us something interesting about global aviation. It is a reminder that private aviation is not only about flying celebrities or business leaders from A to B – sometimes, the passengers with the most clout come with feathers.