It starts long before the aircraft engines spool up. Months ahead of departure, when international permits are still in motion and veterinary teams are coordinating tests across borders, the groundwork begins. For Intradco Global, executing the transport of 34 high-value endurance horses to AlUla wasn’t just about lift capacity or stall configuration—it was about ensuring hydration levels, stress factors, and recovery times were precisely managed from runway to reintegration.

As international demand grows for elite sport horses, zoo animals, and breeding livestock, companies like Intradco Global are leading efforts to make these movements safer, more sustainable, and increasingly tech-enabled.

Health protocols and logistical red tape

“The biggest challenge is the complexity and variability of health and customs regulations between countries,” says Tom Lamb, senior vice president – Americas, at Intradco Global. “Each destination may have its own set of requirements around veterinary certification, quarantine, and disease testing.”

When it comes to elite sport horses, timeframes are unforgiving. “Synchronising permits, aligning transport with competition schedules, and ensuring compliance with both departure and arrival protocols requires meticulous planning and constant liaison with authorities,” Lamb explains.

The tightening of international animal health standards has only raised the stakes. “For example, increased testing windows and pre-export quarantine requirements affected timelines and required more integrated planning across vet teams and logistics,” Lamb says, citing recent outbreaks such as EHV-1 and African horse sickness.

“One example being the necessity to fly horses to Mauritius for quarantine due to African horse sickness in South Africa, before onward flying up to Europe, which presents a challenge on each South African equine export project.”

Operations on a global stage

Intradco’s project to move 34 endurance horses to AlUla in Saudi Arabia exemplifies the operational complexity involved.

“Operations of that scale begin months in advance,” Lamb says. “Success is measured not just by timely delivery, but by the condition of the horses upon arrival—hydration, stress levels, and recovery time are key indicators.”

The planning checklist includes aircraft selection, stall configuration, groom assignments, and local veterinary coordination. “We also conduct a detailed risk assessment for each leg of the journey and provide clients with clear SOPs and real-time updates throughout.”

Another recent mission—from Phoenix to Miami Beach for the Global Champions Arabians Tour—was a reminder of how integrated Intradco’s operations have become. “We successfully delivered champion horses using our integrated walk-on/walk-off system, with direct charter delivery,” Lamb says. “This allows for almost door-to-door service, allowing the horses to arrive in peak condition.”

As regulatory oversight increases, so does the need for innovation. “We’re deeply aligned with IATA LAR guidelines and work closely with our partners to ensure compliance,” Lamb says. Intradco is investing in enhanced in-flight monitoring systems, including “temperature, humidity, and CO2 levels—we are using these currently on the majority of our flights.”

“This data helps our flying grooms and ground teams anticipate and react to animal needs in real time, and provides our customers with full data for review post-flight,” Lamb adds. “We also update our training modules frequently to reflect the latest standards and welfare practices.”

In parallel, digital transformation is bringing transparency and predictive planning to the forefront. “From digital health certificates and e-permits to real-time tracking dashboards for clients, technology enhances both transparency and efficiency,” Lamb says.

Intradco is also piloting AI analytics and data loggers to optimise journey planning and welfare monitoring. “Our long-term vision includes full digital traceability from stable to stable—not just for logistical purposes, but to ensure accountability and continuous improvement in welfare outcomes.”

Market growth in the Middle East, Asia, and the Americas

Demand for live animal logistics is rising, particularly in high-growth markets.

“In the Americas, equestrian events and numbers are on a sharp incline trajectory,” Lamb explains, citing the Global Champions Arabians Tour and the Global Longines Champions Tour. “There are discussions on a few more locations being added to the schedule as well, so watch this space.”

The Middle East, meanwhile, is seeing expansion in elite endurance and showjumping events. “Particularly in Saudi Arabia and the UAE,” Lamb notes.

In Asia, the sector’s development is being driven by wider lifestyle and leisure trends. “Especially in China and Southeast Asia,” he says. “These regions are investing in international-standard infrastructure and require reliable partners for live animal transport.”

Even in a niche sector like animal logistics, sustainability is coming to the fore.

“We’re exploring several approaches,” Lamb says. “First, we are always aiming to avoid any ‘empty legs’, by combining flights with our global cargo colleagues at Chapman Freeborn as well as our global partner networks.”

Aircraft selection is key to cutting fuel burn. “We aim to use newer, fuel-efficient aircraft and optimise routing to reduce emissions, such as the B737-800F or A321F for domestic USA equine charters versus the classic models.”

Intradco is also giving clients options for more sustainable choices. “Thirdly is the option of using SAF, sustainable aviation fuel, and allowing customers the option for including this,” Lamb says. “We’re in conversations with clients about offsetting carbon emissions and are working on a framework to offer certified carbon-neutral transport solutions.”

“There’s definitely increasing interest from clients in aligning logistics with their own sustainability goals.”

With so many moving parts, collaborative planning is non-negotiable.

“Cross-company cooperation is essential,” Lamb says. “We manage it through shared digital platforms, clearly defined roles and responsibilities, and regular pre-operation briefings.”

The risks? Miscommunication, timeline misalignment, and compliance gaps top the list. So do more unpredictable factors: “The unavoidable ‘acts of God’ such as AOGs and weather, which we have detailed contingency plans in place for.”

What makes the difference is trust. “Mitigation comes from robust SOPs, detailed checklists, and having experienced personnel—both on the ground and in the air—who know how to adapt when things don’t go as planned.”