The operation, which was organised in conjunction with JIT-EX, required painstaking preparation in order to ensure the highly-prized animals did not suffer any distress during their transport.

According to a communiqué issued by the carrier on 21 August 2018, “Cargolux could count on its state-of-the-art HMC horse stalls and the dedicated CV alive team that specialises in the intricacies of live animal transportation.” It explained that, “The custom-designed HMC stalls provide increased stability and their double layer pallet base reduces the motion feeling for the horses, greatly reducing the stress the animals feel compared to traditional single layer pallets.”

Cargolux is a major industry player in the transportation of horses by air, transporting about 3,000 per year, it stated. With up to three horses per horse stall, the airline can accommodate 84 horses on its Boeing 747-400 freighters and up to 90 on the 747-8F. As well as ATA, Cargolux is also a member of International Pet and Animal Transportation Association and IATA Live Animal and Perishable Board.