Airport to Airport Factors to Consider when Transporting Equine

October 18, 2022 at 8:00 am (MDT) / 10 am (EDT) / 4 pm (CEST) / 12 midn (AEST)

A summary of the responsibilities of the bloodstock shipping agent (shipper) and procedures/responsibilities carried out by GSA/broker/airline (Instone Air), when transporting horses.

This will include all aspects from booking, ground operations at departure airport, loading horses into stalls, through to arrival at destination and post flight ops.

PRE FLIGHT

BLOOSTOCK SHIPPING AGENT HANDLES

• Vet testing/health docs/road transport to airport/import permits/customs clearances/provision of groom

GSA/BROKER/AGENT etc handles/checks

• Booking confirmation from airline
• AWB completion
• Horse stall in position – and in good condition/clean (may need re cleaning)
• Stall config decided – triple/double/loose box
• Groom allocated and all details confirmed – passports/visas/ID
• Groom security clearances from airline – copious docs and all vary
• Groom tickets booked – possibly return
• Groom hotels booked
• OK to forward – from importing country (sometimes not through in time)
• Live Animal form completed
• Tack/freight to arrive early for xray/screening (particularly for showjumpers)

FLIGHT DAY

• Report any flight delays to shipper
• Arrival of horses at airport – usually 3 or 4 hours prior depending on numbers/airline
• Handling agent liaison for loading/docs
• Health docs/AWB etc presented to handling agent
• Vet inspection – not always required
• Position dolly ramp if available
• Loading horse into stall – sometimes in warehouse, sometimes airside outside on ramp area
• Tack/feed/water loaded into stall or separate pallet/ULD if booked
• Loading stall on aircraft – may be some way from handling co warehouse
• Groom processing – through airport security

POST FLIGHT

• Check horses all arrived safely
• Make sure all cleared correctly and
• Check groom tickets OK
• Check stall for damage – sometimes groom report damage/missing parts
• Clean stall
• De-position stall if need elsewhere