Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) and Brussels Airport have opened an airport-to-airport (A2A) pharma corridor to cater for the specific needs of pharmaceutical shipments.
The pharma corridor connects the two airports, with shipments being handled in strict compliance with the IATA CEIV (Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics) and carried by CEIV certified airlines.
Shippers will receive seamless temperature-controlled handling and provided with handling information.
In collaboration with Pharma.Aero and the participation of pharma shippers, key performance indicators will be defined, targeting to set pharma handling standards.
Alaina Shum, general manager of aviation logistics at Airport Authority Hong Kong says the collaboration marks a milestone to make Hong Kong “a preferred pharmaceutical transhipment hub”.
Shum says: “To ensure airport-wide seamless temperature-controlled handling, we are taking delivery of 19 additional cool dollies for common-use by the airlines, meaning that all airlines will always have the option to deploy cool dollies for their temperature-sensitive shipments. We are also building apron shelters to protect the pharmaceutical shipments from direct weather elements.”
Steven Polmans, head of cargo and logistics at Brussels Airport says: “From the beginning, we have reached out to shippers and manufacturers to understand their requirements and work with them and the rest of our cargo community. We have been focusing on improving processes, finding innovative solutions and effectively implementing various projects.”
He adds: “This cooperation with HKIA for a dedicated pharma lane is a first but important step in creating specialised, dedicated pharma corridors. Our pharma volumes between Brussels and Hong Kong as well as the rest of Asia and Australia are significant, so this improved solution for our customers is being welcomed by the market very much.”
Frank Van Gelder, secretary general of Pharma.Aero says: “We have received great support from our members including pharmaceuticals companies MSD and Pfizer to participate in this pharma corridor project. Their participation will help to validate the services and key performance indices of the A2A pharma corridor, making sure it provides all pharmaceuticals shippers the genuine value and peace of mind.”
