Inside the high-stakes world of flying live animals

Transporting live animals across borders is no ordinary logistical challenge—it requires a unique blend of precision, empathy and unwavering commitment to animal welfare. It becomes even more complicated when large live animals like horses or pandas are transported by air. It requires a perfectly synched combination of technical capability, specialised infrastructure and strict adherence to welfare protocols. Over the past year, Cathay Cargo has handled a series of high-profile live animal shipments that demonstrate both the operational scale and regulatory responsibility needed to perform in this demanding segment.

One of the most notable recent operations came in February 2025, when Cathay Cargo transported around 70 elite horses from Europe to Hong Kong for the Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show. The airline operated a dedicated charter flight from Liège, Belgium, using a Boeing 747 freighter, with the horses secured on the main deck in specially equipped stalls. Others, including Shetland ponies for junior events, arrived via scheduled freighter services from London Heathrow. Accompanied by grooms throughout the flight, the animals arrived safely and in peak condition for the city’s first major equestrian competition in over five years.

Tom Owen, Director Cargo at Cathay, described the operation as a demonstration of the airline’s expertise: “We are proud to be the official airline partner of the Hong Kong International Horse Show as it makes its debut in Hong Kong this February. We have ensured they were well taken care of and that they arrived in the best condition for their highly anticipated performances.”

This capacity to handle sensitive, high-value animals is underpinned by Cathay’s IATA CEIV Live Animals accreditation, which it renewed in September 2023 alongside CEIV Pharma and CEIV Fresh. These three simultaneous recertifications represent a rigorous reassessment of operational processes, welfare protocols and risk management systems across its special cargo network.

“We're delighted to be recertified in three key CEIV areas… It has been a lot of work for the team but, ultimately, these re-certifications are additional pieces of evidence that show ‘We Know How’ to do it better,” Owen said. The CEIV standards are especially relevant in a live animal context, where every aspect—from temperature stability and noise control to documentation and loading procedures—directly affects animal wellbeing.

Moreover, upon arrival, Cathay Cargo offers a standard cargo and document release time of 120 minutes, which applies to live animal shipments and other cargo types, helping to streamline post-arrival logistics.

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In September 2024, Cathay was again in the spotlight as it transported two giant pandas to Hong Kong. Upon arrival at the airport, the animals were received with a formal welcome and underwent immediate health checks by Ocean Park Hong Kong and local authorities. The year also saw the relocation of two Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkeys, Little Peanut and Yellow Bean, from Ocean Park to Chengdu Zoo in early 2024. The transfer, carried out as part of a breeding programme, involved careful coordination between zookeepers and airline personnel to manage the territorial sensitivities of the male monkeys in transit. These examples highlight the airline's growing role in conservation logistics, in addition to commercial animal transport.

While live animal shipments continue to be the most visible part of Cathay’s special cargo operations, the airline also manages wet cargo, such as marine animals and perishable products transported with water or ice. These shipments require specialised containment to avoid spillage or contamination and are subject to handling practices that ensure safe and hygienic movement through the air cargo network.

Supporting this complexity is Cathay’s ground infrastructure. In March 2025, the Cathay Cargo Terminal in Hong Kong became the first in Asia to receive IATA’s Security Management System (SeMS) certification at the highest initial level of Operating Status. The designation affirms a robust, proactive approach to aviation security based on risk data, compliance protocols, and continuous improvement.

On the commercial front, Cathay Cargo transported 133,398 tonnes of freight in April 2025, marking a 13.6% increase compared to April 2024. Capacity, measured in Available Freight Tonne Kilometres (AFTKs), rose by 8.9%, while Revenue Freight Tonne Kilometres (RFTKs) climbed 6.8%. For the full year 2024, Cathay Pacific reported cargo revenue of HK$24 billion—an 8% year-on-year increase—driven by stable demand and higher freight rates. The airline carried a total of 1.53 million tonnes of cargo in 2024, up 10.9% from the previous year, with AFTKs growing by 8.6% and RFTKs by 5%.