Pharma.Aero is continuing to expand its network by welcoming Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), AirBridgeCargo Airlines and Alha Group as its newest members.
The organisation has a mission to foster collaboration among International Air Transport Association (IATA) Centre of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) in Pharmaceutical Logistics certified airport communities, and improve reliability end-to-end in air transportation for pharma shippers.
It has been gaining new members, and chairman, Nathan de Valck says: “The open internal dialogue, underlined by our pharma shipper members, allows us to further improve the handling of pharmaceutical shipments.”
He adds: “Being CEIV Pharma Partner Airport and part of Pharma.Aero are key milestones in collaborating with industrial partners sharing our experience and building pharma corridors connecting to the fellow Pharma.Aero members.”
HKIA assistant general manager for aviation logistics, Ian Kwok says the membership variety of Pharma.Aero enlarges and strengthens its role, saying: “To be included in the Pharma.Aero platform will navigate our efforts in the pharmaceutical industry, being part of cutting edge technologies and supply chain innovations. It will enable us to develop pharma services in the interests of our customers and boost to our cargo volume in this sector.”
Hong Kong is the world’s largest airport, having past five million tonnes per annum in 2017, and all cargo service providers obtained IATA CEIV Pharma certification by mid-2017.
AirBridgeCargo gained IATA CEIV Pharma in 2016 for transportation via its Moscow Sheremetyevo hub, making it the first airline in Russia to do so as well as setting the record for the shortest time to pass the audit, taking four months.
The airline’s global director, Fedor Novikov says: “Pharma.Aero is a unique platform for cross industry collaboration. The link between the CEIV certification programs, the expertise of the members and the support and vision of the pharmaceutical industry will improve standard practices. The enhanced collaboration on a global scale is key.”
Alha Group audit and compliance manager – pharma manager, Nicola Caristo says the company has supported CEIV Pharma since its launch in 2013, saying: “Pharma.Aero is a powerful tool for the whole Air Cargo Industry by creating a unique environment where CEIV Certified Companies, Shippers and Airport Authorities share excellence, set the new standards and analyse data.”
Pharma.Aero was founded by Miami International Airport and Brussels Airport, with Changi Airport, Sharjah International Airport and Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Airport joining as strategic airport members.
Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer and MSD are strategic pharma members, the three new companies join Brussels Airlines Cargo, Singapore Airlines Cargo, Expeditors, Brinks, EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg, DHL and Montevideo Free Airport as full members, while e-Cargoware, 4Advice and Envirotainer are associated members.
