Qatar Airways launches five-star service for travelling horses

Horses have become the latest airline passenger segment to be given the luxury treatment as Qatar Airways launches a five-star service for its equine customers.

Forget flying butlers, the Doha-based carrier is offering dedicated grooms for its hoofed clientele as part of a massive push to expand its cargo business.

The carrier’s stable of luxury services now includes a live animal facility that offers “air conditioned holding stalls, a paddock and on-site veterinary personnel”, the company said in a statement.

The airline yesterday revealed plans for a new double decker cargo facility at Hamad International Airport with the capacity to handle 4.4 million tonnes of goods which is set to open by 2018.

Its current facility has the capacity to handle 1.4 million tonnes.

“Having the ability to handle 4.4 million tonnes of cargo a year will put Qatar Airways Cargo into another league, and enhance the efficiency and service already offered at our existing state-of-the-art facility,” said chief executive Akbar Al Baker.