Chapman Freeborn completes 121-horse charter to Vietnam

Chapman Freeborn Group has completed a specialist live animal charter operation, transporting 121 Mongolian horses between Ulaanbaatar and Hanoi. The operation was carried out by Chapman Freeborn's Asia Pacific team in partnership with Intradco Global, the group's specialist live animal transport company.

The movement involved three consecutive Boeing 757 freighter charter flights completed within 38 hours. A total of 51 horses were flown outbound on the first flight, 20 horses returned on the second, and another 50 horses were transported outbound on the third flight as part of one coordinated operation.

According to the company, the project required detailed planning, close coordination between teams and specialist expertise in transporting horses. The focus was on ensuring animal welfare, maintaining the schedule and managing every stage of the operation carefully.

Chapman Freeborn said transporting live animals by air is one of the most specialised areas of air charter. Unlike general cargo, each movement requires careful planning, including selecting a suitable aircraft, arranging loading procedures, completing documentation, meeting animal welfare requirements and coordinating with teams at both origin and destination.

"This was a very special movement and a strong example of what can be achieved when specialist teams work closely together across the group," said Latha Narayan, President APAC at Chapman Freeborn.

She said such operations require more than aircraft capacity, as they depend on detailed planning, specialist knowledge and continuous coordination to ensure every stage is handled carefully. She added that the project also demonstrated how the company's regional experience and global specialist capabilities helped support a complex live animal movement.

The company said the operation was part of a wider bilateral initiative. Some of the horses were returning after several years, while others were being transported as part of the same rotation. The movement also brought together members of the animal care team who had worked on the original operation.

"Horse movements are among the most sensitive live animal transport projects, and every detail matters," said Charlie McMullen, CEO of Intradco Global.

He said the company's priority throughout the operation was the welfare of the animals and the smooth execution of the movement, from preparation and loading to arrival.

Chapman Freeborn said the operation highlights the group's ability to combine its global air charter network with Intradco Global's specialist live animal transport expertise to handle complex movements where safety, animal welfare and operational precision are essential.