Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) has handled the delivery of the first batch of Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccines from Frankfurt to Hong Kong, and the transhipment of another batch to Macao through the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB).

Among a series of tailored arrangements put in place by the Airport Authority (AA), the concerned airline, relevant government departments and other business partners, the aircraft carrying the vaccines were allocated a parking stand close to the cargo terminal handling the consignment to allow the quickest delivery.

Priority unloading and towing was also arranged for the vaccine shipment, which then underwent expedited customs clearance and priority truck loading at the cargo terminal for a quick release.

In addition to the delivery to Hong Kong, the first batch of Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccines, which are co-developed by Fosun Pharma and BioNTech, another batch of the same vaccines arriving on the same flight on transhipment to Macao was also handled at HKIA.

"This exemplifies HKIA’s role as a double gateway connecting the Greater Bay Area (GBA) to the world. With HKIA’s proximity to the GBA enabled by the HZMB, along with its extensive flight network, HKIA is a preferred hub for vaccine transportation to worldwide destinations," the AA said in a statement.

It added that the airport's "state-of-the-art" cold-chain facilities such as cool dollies and pioneering apron shelters, together with the recognition as CEIV Pharma Partner Airport by International Air Transport Association ensure safe, efficient, and reliable end-to-end transportation for temperature-controlled goods.