Vienna Airport and Lufthansa Cargo have struck a deal that would allow Vienna Airport Pharma Handling Center (VPHC) at Vienna Airport to handle the pharma freight for Lufthansa Cargo.
"As part of a cooperation between the Lufthansa Group's cargo subsidiary and Vienna Airport, the handling of all pharma cargo transported on board Austrian Airlines aircraft to or from Vienna Airport will take place at the VPHC from now on," the announcement said.
With the VPHC, Vienna Airport operates its own GDP-certified competence center for handling temperature-sensitive air cargo without interrupting the cold chain.
Pharma hub for Central, Eastern Europe
The statement noted that the VPHC will further strengthen Vienna Airport's role as a pharma hub for Central and Eastern Europe with Lufthansa Cargo's intercontinental network.
Vienna Airport noted that freight volumes at the gateway have grown significantly in recent years.
It noted that Lufthansa Cargo is also responsible for the cargo business of Austrian Airlines.
On board its passenger aircraft, the Austrian flag carrier also distributes transport goods in an extensive intercontinental network as belly cargo, including pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and other temperature-sensitive goods.
"The cooperation further establishes Vienna Airport as a strong pharma hub for Central and Eastern Europe. Austria's most important international airport has significantly increased its tonnages in this area," it added.
The airport's own pharma handling center handled around 15% more goods in 2021 than in 2020, with a growth of more than 66% compared to the pre-crisis year of 2019.
In addition to ongoing uncertainties of ground-based global supply chains, the internationalization of pharmaceutical productions also continues to drive this trend.
Vienna Airport noted that by linking the intercontinental air cargo capacities of Austrian Airlines to the capabilities of the VPHC, Vienna Airport is well prepared for further growth in this sector along with its state-of-the-art facilities for handling and storing temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals and GDP certification ensuring the "optimal processes" at the VPHC.
Refrigerated warehouses
The Vienna gateway noted that it has two large refrigerated warehouses that offer storage facilities for temperatures ranging from 2 to 8 degrees Celsius (150 square meters) and 15 to 25 degrees (1600 square meters).
Mobile refrigeration equipment also provides a seamless link between the air and land sides for temperature-sensitive products and regular and closely timed road feeder services at Vienna Airport also enable fast distribution via the European road network.
It added that pharma shipments from Vienna can reach 23 countries within 36 hours due to its geographical location.
"In the field of life-saving and temperature-sensitive pharma logistics, Lufthansa Cargo provides the fastest possible and most secure handling and deliveries worldwide ... With the Vienna Pharma Handling Center, we have gained an important cooperation partner in order to be able to offer our high standards for pharma airfreight at Vienna Airport," says Theresa Schlederer, Director Sales & Handling Austria at Lufthansa Cargo AG.
"As a hub also for medical goods, our Vienna Airport Pharma Handling Center proved its crisis safety and reliability during the Corona period. Even spontaneous charter flights with short times to prepare but high tonnage were handled quickly and smoothly at all times. The fact that Lufthansa Cargo has decided to have its pharmaceutical shipments handled by us is confirmation of our high quality and further strengthens Vienna Airport as a pharma hub for Central and Eastern Europe", said Michael Zach, vice president sales & finance, Ground Handling & Cargo Operations at Vienna Airport.