Brussels Airport said it handled one billion Covid-19 vaccines since the first vaccine shipments from the pharma airfreight hub in November 2020. It said the shipments include 750 million exports, 250 million imports, and millions more in transfers.

The airport said vaccine planes fly to more than 60 countries every day, with Japan and the United States being the two main destinations.

Aside from Covid-19 vaccine, Brussels Airport has also started shipping Covid-19 pills and noted that while the transport process is quite similar to that of the vaccines, the pills are even more sensitive to temperature.

"We are proud to pass the milestone of one billion vaccines transported via Brussels Airport," said Arnaud Feist, chief executive officer of Brussels Airport. "We have been contributing to the fight against Covid and supporting vaccination programs around the world since the first vaccine flight operated in November 2020."

Brussels Airport has more than 35,000 m2 of temperature-controlled warehouses in its cargo area, enabling it to meet the needs and specifics of pharmaceutical products that are highly sensitive to temperature variations.

Almost 10% of the total volume of goods handled at the airport consists of pharmaceuticals.