Kenya Airways has moved more than 50 cows from Nairobi to Lagos in Nigeria on a chartered cargo flight.

The airline announced the operation through its cargo division on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, thanking the customer who arranged the charter and the teams involved in coordinating the transportation of the animals.

“Moo-ve over traffic! Our VIP cattle are flying off to greener pastures. We are excited to have facilitated the chartered movement of over 50 cows from Nairobi to Lagos using our @OfficialKQCargo services,” the airline said in a statement.

The airline has not revealed who the client was or how much was paid in charter fees. It also did not state how many cows were moved or what breed they were.

The move shows how specialised cargo movements can be. Kenya Airways Cargo offer a service called KQ Live which is for moving live animals. Live animals can be moved using this service and the airline states on its official cargo website that the animals must be transported in a container, with the shipper following certain guidelines.

Cattle must have certain documents. This includes proof of health, which confirms they are from an area free from infectious and contagious diseases. They must have had the correct TB test done within the specified time frame. They must also have import permits and any other requirements from the destination country.

The airline also requires the cattle to be in the right container and have written guidelines for feeding and watering if required.

Cargo charters can be arranged to suit the customer’s specific needs. Kenya Airways Cargo state that they can offer charter flights. Customers can get in touch with the cargo team to set up bespoke movements.

Moving dozens of cattle internationally requires a lot of organisation. The cattle must have the correct export and import documents, veterinary clearance, and proper handling. They must also be accepted by the destination authorities.

The airline did not state why the customer had chosen to move the cattle by air instead of by road/sea. They also did not mention why the cattle were being moved to Nigeria. However, this shows how cargo services can be used to help with specialist business needs.

The airline also used the cattle charter to show how their cargo division can move unusual cargo. They thanked the customer, cargo team and other stakeholders involved.

“A big thank you to our client for trusting us with their cargo and to our #KQCargo team and all stakeholders who helped make this operation a success,” the airline said in a statement.

Although the airline made light of the situation by referring to the cattle as VIP cattle, the movement required specialised planning. The customer, financial value and final destination of the cattle (beyond Lagos) have not been revealed.