- Caljari Airport has developed specialized facilities, including a 10,000 -square -feet live animal hall, to deal with elite horses safely, ensure luxury, reduce stress, and rapid recovery after flying.
- The transfer of horses to international competitions requires accurate coordination between airlines, logistical service providers, veterinarians and border officials, using rented aircraft and designated containers.
- Investments in airports with animal -focused infrastructure such as Kaljari as global leaders in the flying squad in horses, supportive competitions, livestock trade, and rare species.
With international equestrian competitions attracted cyclists and horses from each corner of the world, airports had to adapt to meet the specific needs of animal live transportation. Unlike other goods, horses require space to move, time to cancel pressure, veterinary supervision, and the ability to recover quickly after a long journey. This process is expensive, requires logistics, and sometimes risky.
This was an exhibition before the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of Spros Midoz Asiad in Calgary, Canada, where more than 100 of the world’s best athletes flew to the airport for one of the most popular championships in the world; Along with four tons of Dutch flowers that will be shown on the ground during the tournament
Their arrival included Carted Boeing 747 trips, months of preparation, and a tightly designed partnership between logistical services companies, veterinarians, border officials and airport employees. Airports equipped to deal with live animal shipments should do more than providing warehouse space. They need the infrastructure specifically designed for the health and safety of creatures that can weigh more than half a ton and interact nervously with unfamiliar environments. Calgary has become a major example of how to manage these operations.
At the heart of the airport approach, there is a 30,000 square feet, which includes a 10,000 square feet of animal. Inside, horses are transferred from their travel stalls to specially designed pens, where they can rest before they are transferred to their stables in their final destination. The area is controlled by the temperature, monitoring it around the clock, designed with features such as a standard hydraulic reference system and an outdoor walking area.
“We have built this space with the interface of horses,” Sarah Barton, director of the Cargo Air service at Calgary Airport. “Horses need a quiet and safe place where they can settle after the trip, and care if there is any delay with paperwork or veterinary checks.”
Yyc Live Animal Lounge’s Air proximity to the goods square also reduces the stress of animals. The horses are transported directly from the plane to the facility through a specialized slope, with minimal waiting time on the airport runway. If there are any health concerns, the hall includes the upscense areas where horses can be harmed safely until they are cleared by a veterinarian.
Such investments reflect a broader shift in flying conditions, as animal welfare has become important like logistical efficiency. “You cannot treat these charges like any other shipment,” said Barton. “These horses are athlete. Their arrival is in the case of peak, ready to compete.”
Global coordination
Behind the scenes, moving more than 100 hp across the Atlantic Coordination type usually associated with major sporting events. Spruce Meadows, the championship organizers, plan the partnership with airlines, logistics service providers and government agencies. Two Boeing 747 Carted trips are arranged this year, each carrying dozens of horses, equipment and support teams.
“Download horses are a big scene: the special horses stalls are arranged for charging aircraft, each of which, in two long rows, inside the main deck 747-400, with a space to spare them,” explained by Christian Van Higst, one of the two challenges group pilots 747. We do not fly differently with such sensitive horses from any other trip, but we are trying to avoid sharp turns during the taxi. Otherwise, they are on a trip. Soft and comfortable. Nearly 200,000 hp from the four Prat & Whitney engines, which are completed by 47 horsepower: the mother’s speed forward!
The timing of flights has been carefully to allow animals to rest the time before competition. The Canadian Border Services Agency officials have tackled paper business on arrival, while the Canadian Inspection Agency for Foods Group on the site to ensure compliance with strict health regulations.
“Once we see the whiteness of their eyes falling on Canadian soil, we are all very comfortable,” said Martha Wilts, Office Horse Services, “Within this passport, there is an identity page, which is equivalent to the image, which will be seen in an ordinary human passport.
“This is a huge collective effort,” Barton added. “From the moment when horses are loaded in Europe to the moment the slope is launched in Calgary, there is a series of people who guarantee their well -being – parts, groom, ground treatments, customs officials, and veterinarians. Everyone has a role that plays.”
Specialized companies such as external horse services also contribute to experience. Their employees are trained to treat low animals, biotechnology, and emergency procedures. Horses are usually transported in custom containers suitable for two or three animals side by side, as the grooms travel to wait for their monitoring. Unlike standard goods, these trips require continuous human supervision.
“It is about reducing stress in every step,” Barton said. “The horses are not about to compete in one of the biggest events in their lives – their function is to make this transition as smooth as possible.”
Trust and innovation
It is unlikely that the logistical services of airline horses will become simpler. If there is anything, the demand for a horse travel shipment is scheduled to grow with the expansion of international competition.
“Anything that includes the transportation of animals is difficult to nature, because animals do not always know that they are to be somewhere on time,” explained WORTS. “They only do things that make them sometimes so that we must change the plan for their travel, right? So every day there is a new adventure that we must run.”
Airports that can show excellence in caring for animals, security and operational reliability places themselves in setting global centers for this specialized but vital industry. For Calgary, the ability to welcome more than 100 hp of elite without disrupting passengers and regular goods is a sign of success. But the lessons extend until one championship. The infrastructure developed for Showjumbers also supports agricultural exports, livestock trade, and even the transmission of rare or endangered species.
“Our facility is unique in Canada,” Barton confirmed. “It is normative, adaptable and designed for the future. Whether it is competition horses, animals, or accompanying animals, we are ready to fulfill the demand.”
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