Racehorses by air are big business for AIA

Leonard Nell “THERE’S BIG money invested in the transport of thoroughbreds and great care has to be taken in their handling,” says African International Airways managing director Pat Corbin. “They represent some of the most valuable cargo we carry, and special pens and ramps are provided to assist in the operation.” The transport of highly bred racehorses by air has become a regular AIA feature, and freighters are chartered to convey animals from places like Brazil to compete in the Dubai turf calendar. But ‘anything to anywhere’ remains the airline’s slogan, says Corbin. In recent weeks it has carried a load of ostriches to the Ukraine, security banknotes from Europe into Africa, flown catalytic converters from a Port Elizabeth manufacturer direct to Canada to meet an emergency in the Ford plant when stocks ran out, and has now joined in the airlift of aid material into Baghdad.