Baku-based Silk Way West Airlines is looking to enter the global pharmaceutical market after it was awarded Good Distribution Practice (GDP) certification.

In a statement, Silk Way West said it completed the GDP audit of Global Cold Chain Consultants to further improve the company’s capacity in reliably handling time- and temperature-sensitive cargo.

Silk Way West noted that this is a critical step in strengthening and expanding the airline's offering to the pharmaceutical sector.

"Being GDP certified, Silk Way West Airlines now intends to extend its product line in transportation of medical goods and pharmaceutical logistics services," the carrier said. 

It said that its internal procedures have been upgraded in accordance with GDP principles, and the company’s entire staff has been appropriately trained.

The carrier also conducted a thermal mapping of its fleet and the extensive temperature-controlled storage facilities at its main hub in Baku to ensure the integrity of these processes.

“Obtaining the GDP certification proves the readiness of Silk Way West Airlines in taking a leading role in global distribution of medical supplies,” said Wolfgang Meier, CEO and President of Silk Way West Airlines, as he noted the importance of this certification in entering the pharmaceutical logistics market. 

Expansion of cold chain services

Meanwhile, Aydin Huseynov, Silk Way West Airlines’ Vice President for Global Cargo Logistics & Standards, said the GDP certification is an important step in upgrading the airline’s carriage capabilities for all pharmaceutical products, as well as ensuring that the required storage services are in place. 

“We believe that these efforts focused on ensuring the highest standards in logistics will take the company to the next level in management of time- and temperature-sensitive goods”, Huseynov said.

Good Distribution Practice (GDP) is a standard based on principles adopted by the European Union and recommended by the World Health Organization. In line with these requirements, medicines are to be obtained from a licensed supply chain and stored, transported and handled under suitable conditions.

Silk Way West Airlines is the largest cargo airline in the Caspian Sea region. The airline operates around 350 monthly flights across Europe, Asia, and the Americas via its fleet of 12 dedicated Boeing 747-8F and Boeing 747-400F freighter aircraft.

On April 28, 2021, Silk Way West Airlines signed a strategic fleet expansion agreement with Boeing for five state-of-the-art 777 Freighters.

The airline's annual cargo turnover exceeds 420,000 tons, while its route network covers over 40 destinations across Europe, the CIS, the Middle East, Central and Eastern Asia, North and South America.