Etihad Cargo has become the first airline in the Middle East to be awarded IATA CEIV certification in Pharmaceutical Logistics.
The certification covers both airline operations of Etihad Cargo as well as cargo handling and warehousing at its hub in Abu Dhabi International Airport.
Abdulla Mohamed Shadid, managing director cargo and logistics at Etihad Aviation Group says Etihad Cargo is “honoured” to be the first airline in the region to be awarded IATA CEIV Pharma.
He says: “Since we launched our refreshed strategy in early 2018, a lot of focus has gone towards enhancing our premium product verticals and offering the highest quality and reliability standards to our customers. Today our TempCheck product receives a major boost with this important certification.”
Cargo handling subsidiary Etihad Airport Services has also been awarded CEIV Pharma certification and the airline says that through its global network and fleet of passenger and cargo aircraft, this reaffirms Etihad’s ability to offer temperature-controlled services.
Facilities, systems and processes have been enhanced to meet CEIV Pharma demands, which combine IATA Temperature Control Regulations, GDP best practices and other international benchmarks.
Enhancements include the use of cool dollies in Abu Dhabi, thermal blankets at key stations and a tie up with additional active container suppliers to expand options of temperature-controlled containers.
Etihad also commenced a major expansion and refurbishment programme to its cargo terminal in Abu Dhabi in the fourth quarter of 2018, which aims to add additional temperature-controlled space to its existing pharma zone by 2020.
Shadid says 2018 was a “pivotal year”, with the focus on Boeing 777 Freighters, the launch of FlightValet and FreshForward, and the digital migration to the iCargo technology platform.
He says: “CEIV Pharma presents us with the perfect start to the year, setting a baseline for what we need to accomplish to reaffirm our place as a true air cargo partner of choice.”
