In brief
Cathay Cargo says it transported around 60 showjumping horses from Liège, Belgium, to Hong Kong for the Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show, scheduled at AsiaWorld-Expo from 30 January to 1 February 2026. The horses traveled on a chartered Boeing 747 freighter, with specialist handling and care provided during ground transfers and the flight. The company describes its Live Animal solution as combining travel stalls, routing intended to limit transit time, and CEIV Live Animals certification. Professional grooms accompanied the horses, while certified crew monitored cargo-hold temperature and airflow. Cathay Cargo is supporting the event for a second year, according to event director Jo Peck. The company also says it is the first carrier in Asia to receive IATA’s CEIV Live Animals certification.
Key takeaways
- Cathay Cargo transported around 60 horses from Liège to Hong Kong for the international showjumping event.
- The journey took 12 hours aboard a chartered Boeing 747 freighter.
- The company says its service includes specialist handling, groom accompaniment and monitoring of temperature and airflow.
- Cathay Cargo is supporting the event for a second year.
Cathay Live Animal solution delivers stress-free journeys for world-class horses competing in the Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show
January 28, 2026 -- Cathay Cargo has successfully transported around 60 elite showjumping horses from Europe to Hong Kong for the Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show, taking place at AsiaWorld-Expo from 30 January to 1 February 2026.
Building on the success of last year's event, Cathay Cargo's specialist teams orchestrated a complex logistics operation to transport the equine athletes on a 12-hour journey from Liège in Belgium, a central location with a well-equipped cargo airport and stabling facilities, to Hong Kong International Airport aboard a chartered Boeing 747 freighter. The Boeing 747 aircraft's spacious main deck and temperature-controlled environment provide optimal conditions for safe, comfortable long-haul travel, ensuring the horses arrive calm and competition-ready.
Dominic Perret, Cathay Director Cargo, said: "Transporting these world-class equine athletes is both a privilege and a huge responsibility. We understand the pressure riders and owners face ahead of elite competition, which is why our role is to eliminate travel as a source of stress. Our expertise in live animal logistics has seen a year-on-year tonnage growth in this segment, and supporting this world-class event reinforces our position as the trusted partner for high-stakes animal transport."
Reimagining the live animal transport experience
As demand for live animal cargo continues to rise globally, Cathay Cargo's approach goes beyond simply moving animals from origin to destination. The airline's Live Animal solution is built on three core principles:
- Creature comfort: International Air Transport Association (IATA) compliant travel stalls ensure proper ventilation, space and safety.
- Charting the right path: Optimised routing minimises stops and transit time to reduce stress.
- Flying with trust: Industry-leading Center of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) Live Animals certification upholds the highest welfare standards.
These flights are supported by expert human care. Horses benefit from priority ground handling and slow-speed tarmac transfers. In the air, CEIV-certified crew monitor and adjust cargo-hold temperature and airflow, while professional grooms accompany the horses with full access to ensure their welfare throughout the journey.
Jo Peck, Event Director at HPower International, said: "For an international event like this, the stakes are incredibly high — there’s no margin for uncertainty when dealing with equine athletes. That’s why we’re pleased to partner with Cathay Cargo for the second year, as they combine meticulous care and understanding of horses with the discipline of a world-class cargo operation. It’s the assurance and peace of mind they provide that means the riders and organisers can focus on the show.”
Cathay Cargo is the first carrier in Asia to achieve IATA's prestigious CEIV Live Animals certification, a standard that reflects deep expertise in handling complex, high-value animal shipments across species.
The successful delivery of these equine athletes underscores Cathay Cargo's leadership in live animal logistics and its continued partnership with one of Asia's most anticipated equestrian events.
For more information, please visit www.cathaycargo.com.
About Cathay Cargo
Cathay Cargo is the air-freight business division of the Cathay Group and one of the leading air-cargo operators in the world, operating from its hub in Hong Kong. Cathay Cargo offers scheduled freighter services to over 40 destinations worldwide, in addition to utilising belly capacity on the Group’s passenger flights to over 100 destinations. The freighter fleet consists of 14 Boeing 747-8F and six 747-400ERFs (Extended Range Freighter) aircraft. The Cargo division also includes Air Hong Kong, an express cargo carrier operating in partnership with DHL, and manages Cathay Cargo Terminal at Hong Kong International Airport. It is also the cargo general sales agent for the Cathay Group’s low-cost carrier HK Express. Cathay is a member of the Swire Group and is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKSE). For more information, please visit www.cathaycargo.com.
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Questions around this news
How were the showjumping horses transported to Hong Kong?
Cathay Cargo says it transported around 60 horses from Liège, Belgium, to Hong Kong International Airport on a chartered Boeing 747 freighter. The journey took 12 hours. The horses were travelling to compete in the Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show, held at AsiaWorld-Expo from 30 January to 1 February 2026.
What care measures were provided for the horses during the journey?
The release describes priority ground handling and slow-speed tarmac transfers, along with temperature and airflow monitoring in the aircraft’s cargo hold. Professional grooms accompanied the horses and had access to them throughout the flight. Cathay Cargo also says its travel stalls meet IATA requirements for ventilation, space and safety.
What does CEIV Live Animals certification signify?
CEIV Live Animals is an industry certification for handling live-animal air cargo. It assesses processes and expertise related to animal welfare and shipment handling. Certification signals that an operation has been evaluated against standards for managing the particular requirements and risks involved in transporting animals by air.
What is a chartered freighter flight?
A chartered freighter flight is a cargo aircraft journey arranged for a particular customer or shipment, rather than booked as part of a regular scheduled service. The aircraft can be dedicated to the cargo operation, allowing the organiser to plan the route and handling around the shipment’s needs.
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