FedEx Express has shipped six polo horses that will take part in the World Polo Championship fromSão Paulo, Brazil, to Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The three-hour flight called for a special operation and the leasing of specific equipment toaccommodate the animals, worth US$ 500,000 each, including transport bays and a special seat forthe veterinarian and assistant. In addition, the International Air Transport Association (IATA)required one qualified attendant fluent in English for each of the six animals to go on the trip aswell.
Carlos Ienne, managing director of FedEx Express for the Mercosul region, commented on theunusual and valuable shipment: “It is an honour to be the transportation company chosen for thisdelicate shipment. This decision proves that FedEx is the most trusted company for transportation,regardless of the size of the shipment.”
The shipment of the horses, each weighing about 500 kg, complied with the strict sanitaryrequirements before arrival in the Argentine capital. All the animals were sedated to guaranteeflight safety during takeoff. “Few companies have the infrastructure and human resources totransport live cargo”, Jenne added.
Other remarkable cargoes transported by FedEx include a yacht for the U.S. sailing teamduring the 2000 Paralympic Games, a windmill from Denmark, a five-ton helicopter, and an eight-tonstatue of a war hero.
FedEx Express has been operating in Brazil since 1989, through its own stations in the citiesof Campinas (SP), São Paulo (SP), Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Porto Alegre (RS) and Blumenau (SC), andoperates five weekly flights between Memphis and Sao Paulo’s Viracopos airport as well as fiveweekly Southern Cone flights.
FedEx Brazil offers three International Shipment Centres (two in São Paulo and one in Rio deJaneiro) and 35 Authorized FedEx Shipment Centres. Through local partners, FedEx’s domestic networkin the country reaches 2,850 Brazilian cities, covering about 90% of Brazil’s GDP.
