PETALING JAYA: The return of air travel has not only seen more travellers in the air, but a herd of horses have also taken flight, with national carrier Malaysia Airlines.

       According to MASkargo's Facebook page, a total of 31 horses were successfully chartered from Sydney to Macau on Monday (Nov 22).

       In a pre-flight video featured on the page, Malaysia Airline's Airbus 330 cargo pilot Captain Megat Arizal Izram Megat Abdullah said they were expecting clear weather throughout the nine-hour flight from Sydney to Macau.

       "Weather is okay throughout, so hopefully it will not be so bumpy for the horses. I'm excited to do the flight," he said.

       In the video, Managing Director of the Equine International Airfreight Cameron Croucher, who was in charge of the international air horse transport, commended Malaysian airlines for being accommodating.

       "We've used Malaysia Airlines a number of times for both chartered and scheduled services to a number of different countries, including Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia and of course, Macau today.

       "There's two grooms on board, 31 horses so we got some work to do once we get them in the air to get them ordered and fed," he said.

       MASkargo, in its post, congratulated all units involved for the successful charter.