About us

Over 30 years of experience

With over 30 years’ experience we are prepared for unforeseen circumstances that could arise during the transportation process and are able to react quickly, finding effective solutions, while always keeping the animals’ safety as our primary concern.

1987 The beginning

Intradco Cargo Services was established in the UK in 1987 by Eddie McMullen (pictured far left), & business partner Sam Harris. In the early days the company handled all types of cargo before specialising in animal transportation.

The name “Intradco” was an acronym for International Trading Company. The key aim of the business was to allow for easier international trade, by providing the best solutions for air charter or air freight. This was at a time when there was far less supply of freighters in the market, so air charters were widely required to reach many global destinations.

1989 Intradco Cargo Services first animal assignment

Intradco Cargo Services’ first animal assignment was a modest consignment of just six horses from London to Accra, mixed with other general cargo. These days, high-profile movements include flights for the world-famous class 1 thoroughbreds, showjumping showcases around the world, best livestock transport, and the movement of exotic animals for zoos and conservation programmes.

1993 Adapting to aircraft development

Intradco Global’s equipment has been compatible with Boeing 747 or 777 freighters, McDonnell Douglas MD-11s, Airbus types and other widebodied cargo aircraft throughout the years, making it a favourite with many of the world’s leading airlines. Through continued design innovation, the growing range of stalls and penning provide greater flexibility added safety and comfort features for all their occupants.

1996 Intradco Global brings its first collapsible stall to the market

Horses most commonly only travel to one destination on permanent or semi-permanent import, which means the stalls will return empty. The market’s first collapsible stall allowed for quick assembling and dismantling so they can be folded down and stacked on the lower decks of the aircraft saving critical space, cost and time meaning cargo can be transported on the return leg.

1998 An array of wildlife and protected species

Throughout the company’s history the Intradco Global team has transported an array of wildlife and protected species of all shapes and sizes around the world – from alpacas to rhinos. The team work closely with zoos, global organisations, and game reserves, across many high-profile relocation missions.

2000s The rapidly expanding equine transport sector

At the turn of the millennium, horse racing across the globe rapidly evolved. As a leader in the highly-specialised field of bloodstock movement, Eddie McMullen sought to provide key services to those a little closer to home – The UK & Irish flat racing community. This led to leasing an EU registered AN74F (pictured right), with specialised stalls and loading ramp. This aircraft type is still being used to carry Group 1 winning horses to this current day.

2002 Development of the 747-F stalls

The early 2000s saw Intradco Global further develop it’s stalls for the Boeing 747-F aircraft. This includes the 747-F Drop Top, the key feature of the Drop Top is that the roof can be lowered in height to allow for economic movement of empty stalls, whilst still providing the perfect ergonomic design for horse safety and stress reduction during transport. This design is still being used in the current market, although less common compared to the more modern fully collapsible stalls.

2007 Loading on to the A300-600 aircraft

The A300 Freighter aircraft proved to be a very popular converted freighter and is regularly used in equine transportation. Intradco Global were the first company in the world to create horse stalls specifically designed for the Airbus. The aircraft was the first popular widebody freighter from Airbus, and is still used by the industry today, with 1000s of horses being flown on Airbus freighters.

2010s Expert care for decades

Trainers, owners and breeders have trusted Intradco Global to coordinate expert animal handlers to accompany their precious cargo. Sourcing only the best in the field, from an established global network of professional flying grooms, all of whom are Animal Transport Association (ATA) approved, and all have a minimum of 10 years’ experience flying horses.

2014 Chapman Freeborn Airchartering Ltd acquires majority shares in Intradco Cargo Services Ltd.

Chapman Freeborn Airchartering Ltd completed the acquisition of UK-based Intradco Cargo Services Ltd in February 2014 initiating a worldwide growth strategy following the successful integration of the company into its business portfolio.

2015 Charlie McMullen becomes Director

Charlie McMullen becomes Director of Intradco Global to continue the tremendous work carried out by his father, Eddie McMullen. Charlie initially started with Intradco as a stall man, flying groom and flight project manager. This hands-on approach meant he developed experience in the field and the best practices when transporting animals by air. Today Charlie manages the Intradco Global team with the company growing from strength to strength, with offices located in 23 countries worldwide.

2016 Leading the way in design and innovation

2016 saw Intradco Global focus on the next innovation of horse stalls, by improving the overall design of the widely used “fully collapsible” stall. The unique designs offer the highest standards of animal welfare, with the collapsible stalls offering ample space for three horses and a safe area for grooms to tend the animals. The Intradco Global design also features a flat floor, meaning the horse is not required to step down into position from the ramp ensuring a smooth transition.

Various prototypes have been built, with in-field testing showing valuable results. The fully IATA/EASA certified final product will be released to market in early 2020.

2016 Intradco Global Equine focus

Strong relationships with market leading horse shipping agents achieved an historic milestone, with over 3000 horses being flown in 2016. This included some high profile movements to new markets, including China and other growing Far East import markets. The world famous Cavalia Tour trusted Intradco for a series of flights before ending their tour in China, and large movements of up to 90 horses from Keeneland sales.

2017 Intradco Global wins ‘Best Charter Logistics Project’ award

In 2017, Intradco Global saw recognition for the conservation project which involved the successful transportation of 19 endangered black rhinos. The rhinos were flown from Johannesburg, South Africa to Kigali, Rwanda where they were reintroduced into the wild at Akagera National Park. Charlie McMullen, Intradco Global Director, collected the award at the Freighters World Conference.

2018 Eric the rhino

The high-profile transportation of Eric the rhino who embarked on a 10,000-mile journey across the globe from the San Diego Zoo Safari Park to Tanzania, was widely covered in the media. Eric was to play a starring role in a breeding programme designed to help save the critically endangered species from extinction. An operation of this kind took several months of planning which resulted in the successful delivery of Eric to his new home. Since Eric was released into the larger protection zone, he has been making great progress in his naturalisation to the surrounding environment. Scuffled footprints and broken bushes are leading us to hope that there may be a new arrival in the future.

2018 Intradco Global and Turkish Cargo help rescued lions move to new home

Intradco Global successfully coordinated a project to move the four lions to a game reserve in South Africa with the help of Turkish Cargo. Travelling in the lower deck hold of a Turkish Airways A330 passenger aircraft, the animals flew from Kiev (KBP) to Istanbul (IST), where they were transferred to a second aircraft for their onward journey to Johannesburg (JNB). The lions were transported in custom designed pallets containing food and water, and accompanied on the flight by a veterinarian, a specialist handler and a representative from Lawrence Anthony to ensure their wellbeing throughout the journey.

2019 Equine / Livestock / Conservation

The journey towards being the market leader in global animal transport continues, with Intradco Global servicing the world’s most prestigious equine shipping agents and competition organisers, livestock breeders and traders, and conservation projects leaders. Further development of our most valuable asset – the people within our specialist teams – continues to be key to delivering a quality global service. 2019 and onwards will see further focus to live animal equipment innovation and tailoring the global service scope to all of Intradco Global’s clients.

2020 Intradco Global charters world’s largest aircraft

Since 1987, Intradco Global has made a name for itself chartering aircraft for animal movements, whether it be safer air travel animal stalls or reintroducing species into the wild. In 2020, the world changed as the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the globe. It was at this time the company pivoted their strategy and focussed on proving air cargo capacity for critical PPE.

This included chartering the world’s largest aircraft the Antonov AN-225 to support the COVID-19 relief efforts, transporting 13,000 cartons (totalling nearly 1,000 CBM) of medical supplies and PPE.

Intradco Global also opened up a new office based in Toronto, the move represented the firm’s ongoing continental plans to achieve strategic growth in under-represented territories.

2021 Triple deck sheep stall launches on the market

In 2021, the demand for both sheep and goat air freight movements was on the rise, Intradco Global embarked on a research and design journey to build innovative, reusable and collapsible stalls. These stalls had to be lightweight, but durable, whilst maximising ventilation to ensure enhanced standards of animal welfare. These stalls are now the leading livestock stalls and are preferred by many major livestock shippers for their shipments.

Intradco Global is a Chapman Freeborn company and a family member of Avia Solutions Group, the world’s largest ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) provider, with a fleet of 192 aircraft.

The group also provides a range of aviation services including MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul), pilot and crew training, ground handling, as well as a variety of associated services. Supported by 11,500 highly skilled aviation professionals, the group operates in 68 countries worldwide.

For more information about Avia Solutions Group, please visit www.aviasg.com.

Our global coverage
is unparalleled

We specialise in a wide range of animal transportation projects from international horse shipments, livestock and farming, to the relocation of exotic species.

We have built trusted relationships with leading cargo airlines to provide unparalleled global access to hundreds of scheduled services.

With offices located in strategic positions worldwide, we are able to offer truly global coverage.

  • Equipment innovation
  • Unparalleled global coverage
  • Professional flying grooms
  • Over 30 years of experience
  • Smart pricing
  • 24/7 service

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Intradco Dynamic

Over the past 30 years, Intradco Global has developed a hands-on approach of handling difficult cargo. Clients from a variety of industries rely on us to provide inventive, creative and reliable solutions for the most challenging air charter requirements.

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