Liege Air Cargo Handling Services (LACHS) exported 180 horses and 80 tonnes of equipment for the Rio Olympic Games, with more to come for the upcoming Paralympics.

Five charter flights were required to collect horses and equipment from 32 different federations, and the animals were stabled before the flights in the brand new Horse Inn managed by LACHS at Liege Airport. LACHS will be operating five charter import flights to return horses and equipment, followed by two more flights with 70 horses for the Paralympics.

LACHS general manager, Yossi Shoukroun says: “Horse transport movements are delicate and sensitive. As experts in the transport of non-standard cargo such as live animals, we have invested a tremendous amount to ensure top-of-the-line infrastructure for this valuable cargo.”

LACHS was awarded a three-year contract to manage the Horse Inn at Liege Airport, which is intended for horses being transported by air and to accommodate them during transit by road.

In mid-September, LACHS will also be transporting 66 horses to the Longines Masters in Los Angeles.