Brussels Airport and Miami International Airport have launched Pharma.Aero, a new organization which aims to improve the quality of pharmaceutical handling in the air cargo industry.

“With the vision to achieve a reliable end-to-end air transport for pharmaceutical cargo, Pharma.Aero will focus on pharmaceutical shippers and all industry stakeholders who embrace the IATA CEIV programme,” said Nathan De Valck, chairman of Pharma.Aero [second from right in photo]. “Members of the organization will foster route certification and development of pharmaceutical trade lanes, implementation of best practices and sharing of market knowledge and expertise.”

The group has already been endorsed by several pharmaceutical shippers, including MSD, Pfizer and UCB.

“In the past four years we have been working closely with pharma manufacturers, which has resulted in the first CEIV Pharma community certification with 18 local BRUcargo-based partners,” said Steven Polmans, head of cargo at Brussels Airport [centre in photo]. “We now want to strengthen our approach by bringing it on a global level to create end-to-end solutions for the pharma industry. Pharma.Aero will be content-focused, developing solutions and creating transparency in close cooperation with the pharma industry.”

The other members are Singapore Changi Airport, the first airport in Asia to join as a strategic member, Sharjah International Airport, the first Middle Eastern airport to join as a strategic member, Brussels Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Brinks Life Sciences.

“Pharmaceuticals is among our fastest-growing cargo segments, registering 19-percent year-on-year growth in the first nine months of 2016,” said Ching Kiat Lim, managing director of air hub development at Changi Airport Group [third from right in photo]. “We are also the first airport in Asia to embark on a community approach for IATA CEIV Pharma. With Changi Airport’s strong connectivity and facilities, Singapore is well positioned to be the preferred gateway for pharma cargo in Asia. Our participation in Pharma.Aero will further strengthen our capabilities to handle pharma cargo and enhance the supply chain in Singapore.”

Glyn Hughes, global head of cargo at IATA, congratulated the initiative, saying that it links CEIV-certified entities and trade lanes to improve logistical networks to achieve supply chain excellence.

“Such joint programme enhances the air cargo industry’s value proposition and adoption of global standards in transporting time- and temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals,” said Hughes. “Ensuring patient safety throughout the logistical journey is a collective responsibility and this is a great demonstration of that ideal.”