Horse Transport impacted by limited London Heathrow Cargo Flights
In recent years, the face of air cargo transport has shifted dramatically, with London Heathrow, once a bustling hub for freighters, tightening restrictions and limiting operations for cargo flights. The implications of these changes ripple far beyond the shipping of goods; one particularly affected sector is the equine industry, reliant on timely and efficient transport for its horses. The challenges faced by freighters operating into Heathrow are multifaceted, driven by regulatory, logistical, and environmental concerns.
Some of the Reasons for Restrictions on Cargo Freighters at Heathrow consist of:
- Slot Constraints and Capacity Issues: Heathrow is one of the busiest airports in the world, and its slot allocations for flights are highly competitive. With limited space for aircraft, passenger flights take precedence over freighter operations, which have been deemed less essential.
- Environmental Considerations: In response to increasing environmental awareness and commitments to reduce carbon emissions, Heathrow has implemented measures to minimize noise and air pollution. Cargo flights, often operating at night, have faced criticism for their impact on local communities, prompting the airport to limit their hours and frequencies.
- Shift to Sustainable Practices: As the aviation industry pushes towards greener practices, the focus has shifted towards sustainable flights. Cargo freighters pose significant challenges in this regard, and as Heathrow strives to position itself as a forward-thinking airport, it has limited operations that do not align with these goals.
The impact of these restrictions has been particularly significant for the horse shipping industry. Shipping horses requires specialized equipment and comfort, and delays or longer travel time can lead to stress for the animals. With limited freighter options into the UK horse shipping agents such as Equitrans find it increasingly difficult to operate efficiently. The delays and logistical challenges linked with transporting horses have raised concerns about animal welfare and performance, as horses may not arrive in optimal condition for races, polo, show jumping or breeding purposes.
Impact on Equitrans Logistics
Equitrans Logistics, a key player in the horse transport sector, has felt the brunt of these operational challenges at Heathrow. David Robson, Managing Director of Equitrans Logistics, commented on the impact of these changes: “Our operations have become limited due to the restrictions at Heathrow, however, we are already working with airlines for alternatives. Import into UK is more difficult as the airport should have a border inspection post (BIP) which oversees the screening of horses when they arrive and completion of their health and biosecurity checks. For Exports from the UK, one does not need a (BIP) as all requirements are completed from the stable of export. It’s not just about the logistics; it’s about the welfare of the horses we transport, every delay or increased transit time can have serious consequences on their performance.”
Robson continued, “We remain committed to finding the best possible routes for our clients, but the options are limited and have become more expensive with the Red Sea crisis. Airports that do not have Border Inspection Posts, like Manchester and Birmingham, cannot meet our needs for live animal shipments, which puts added pressure on our operations. The only options into the UK now are Qatar Airways via DOH into Stansted, with Heathrow having a few airlines from the Far East but the rates are fairly high as they usually fill capacity from the SIN or HKG directly to LHR. We are hopeful Emirates will soon operate in and out of Stansted.”
Currently, we are operating ex Manchester, Birmingham and Stansted ex UK, but all imports can only go into Stansted or Heathrow due to the requirement of a BIP.
Conclusion
The challenges in operating freighters into London Heathrow are reshaping the air cargo landscape significantly, with far-reaching effects on various industries, including horse shipping. As logistical and regulatory constraints tighten around Heathrow, the future of air cargo may increasingly rely on alternative airports like Gatwick and Stansted, which are better equipped to handle diverse shipping needs.
For Equitrans Logistics, the road ahead involves navigating the complexities of new operational bases while ensuring the welfare and timely transport of horses remains a top priority. As Robson aptly put it, “We are dedicated to adapting our operations to meet the needs of our clients and their horses, but it requires patience and innovation in an increasingly challenging environment.”
As the industry evolves, collaboration between stakeholders at these alternative airports will be vital in ensuring that efficient and humane options are available for both goods and racehorses, recognizing the critical role air freight plays in a globalized economy.
