Despite conflicts and airspace curbs, equine cargo still moves

On February 28, 147 elite show jumping horses were stranded at Al Shaqab, with a collective bloodstock value estimated at around $300 million. Events were cancelled. Planes were no longer flying in the skies over the Middle East. The Gulf airspace was closed. People were asked to stay at home. The fast-moving Gulf, serving as the transit hub for both passenger and cargo airlines and hosting some of the top global events, came to a standstill.

While governments were trying their best to keep people safe, these 147 elite horses were in limbo. Although the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) Doha leg was cancelled, these horses were expected in Valkenswaard, Netherlands, for the subsequent European stages of the tour. However, due to the Qatar airspace closure and constant risk, flying directly out of Doha was not possible. Supply chain leaders had to devise a contingency plan that was not just safe for the horses but also kept them fit for their next competitive appearance. A fleet of climate-controlled trucks was arranged to ensure the horses took a four-hour road trip from Doha to Riyadh in a healthy condition, to finally fly from Saudi Arabia, where the airspace remained operational.

From Riyadh, Qatar Airways Cargo's specialist Equine Pro division deployed two Boeing 777 freighters. Flight QR8941 departed on March 15 carrying 74 horses and QR8943 on March 16 carrying 73 horses, both on a six-hour nonstop flight to Liège Airport in Belgium. Nearly 90 veterinarians and grooms accompanied the horses, along with over 30 tonnes of specialist tack and medical equipment. The horses were housed in padded triple stall jet stalls with cargo hold temperatures maintained between 12 and 15 degrees Centigrade throughout. Both flights completed without any minor incidents.

The most operationally complex horse movement of the conflict period centred on the Longines Global Champions Tour. The 2026 season was due to open at Al Shaqab in Doha from March 4 to 7. In a joint statement published on March 2 on the official LGCT website, the Longines Global Champions Tour and the Doha Equestrian Tour confirmed the event would not proceed, citing airspace restrictions, participation travel timelines, and overall operational limitations.

While the Qatar event was cancelled and the Bahrain Royal Endurance Festival was disrupted, the UAE took a bold step in keeping events live in the region. Despite the conflict in the entire Middle East, the UAE government and the Dubai Racing Club ensured that the 30th Dubai World Cup successfully took place on March 28 with an audience of over 65,000 at Meydan Racecourse. With 101 horses from seventeen countries competing for a total prize purse of $30.5 million, the Dubai World Cup was one of the first major outdoor sporting events in the UAE since the outbreak of hostilities. However, with Dubai International Airport facing restrictions, Muscat emerged as the primary alternative routing hub, while Dubai World Central managed fast-track equine clearance on the ground.

Ahmad Yousef Al-Hassan, CEO and MD of DP World GCC, said: "Last year alone, more than 65,000 fans attended in person, and over a billion people across 170 countries watched online. This year, the Dubai World Cup celebrated its 30th anniversary, and we've seen the very best horses, trainers, and jockeys come to Dubai, establishing it as one of the leading global hubs for horse racing. We understand what it takes to build a legacy like that, and our intention is to remain part of this journey for years to come."

According to one of the latest official releases from Qatar Airways Cargo about the resumption of their freighter services, the transportation of live animals, classified under QR LIV, falls under a restricted cargo category for a specific period. This restriction is currently in effect until further notice. During this time, an embargo applies when transit time through Doha exceeds twenty-four hours. Any shipment crossing that threshold requires special approval from the Cargo Special Loads team, an additional step that freight forwarders must factor into their planning, particularly on longer routes where Doha is used as a connecting hub. With primary routing options already constrained and longer routes increasingly the norm across the Gulf, this restriction carries direct and immediate operational weight for anyone moving horses or livestock through the region.

The broader question for the industry is what the current period reveals about the resilience of the Middle East as an events logistics hub. The region has invested heavily in cargo infrastructure, ground handling capacity, and multimodal connectivity. That investment is now being tested not in theory but in practice. The results so far are mixed. The difference in most cases came down to the depth of contingency planning and the operational flexibility of the logistics teams involved.

For freight forwarders and cargo operators active in this market, the current environment underlines several practical priorities. Alternative routing options need to be mapped and maintained, not just identified when a crisis hits. Regulatory restrictions at connecting hubs, such as the live animal transit embargo at Doha, need to be factored into planning well in advance. And communication with clients around realistic timelines and potential approval requirements needs to be clear and early,

According to a DHL spokesperson, "The situation has increased complexity across global supply chains, requiring longer routes, alternative gateways, and additional operational measures in some cases. As developments unfolded, we immediately activated our contingency and business continuity plans to maintain connectivity across our network and keep moving shipments safely and responsibly in and out of the region."