Hong Kong International Airport has been recognized by the International Air Transport Association as a partner airport of the association’s Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics programme.

The certification recognizes HKIA’s competency and preparedness in handling pharmaceutical shipments by air that require a stringent temperature-control process in compliance with global standards.

HKIA’s three cargo terminals, Asia Airfreight Terminal Limited, Cathay Pacific Services Limited and Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited, three ramp-handling operators, Hong Kong Airport Services Limited, Jardine Aviation Services Limited and SATS HK Ltd., as well as local carrier Cathay Pacific Group have all obtained the IATA CEIV Pharma certification, resulting in an end-to-end certified process for pharmaceutical shipments.

“Congratulations to the AA in establishing a pharmaceutical logistics community at HKIA and for the achievement of the IATA CEIV Pharma certification of its community stakeholders,” said Zhang Baojian, regional vice president for North Asia at IATA. “The shipping of pharmaceutical products is the fastest-growing segment in the air freight industry. Given the sensitive nature of the products, it is necessary to establish global standards and best practices to ensure the integrity of pharmaceutical products is not compromised when they are shipped by air. Having undergone a rigorous assessment for the CEIV Pharma certification, HKIA’s community stakeholders are well placed to serve this important segment of the air cargo industry. Pharmaceutical companies can also have the confidence that the cold-chain integrity of their products is maintained.”

HKIA has recorded an annual growth in pharma tonnage of 12% for the past four years and expects to reach a growth rate of 16% per year from 2016 to 2023.

“Being the world’s busiest cargo airport since 2010 and handling over 5 million tonnes of cargo and airmail in 2017, HKIA strives to maintain its leadership status as an international aviation and cargo hub in terms of both volume and value,” said Fred Lam, chief executive officer of Airport Authority Hong Kong. “Pharmaceutical air cargo shipments have a strong market outlook, and this certification serves as a testimony of HKIA’s dedication in continuously enhancing its air cargo facilities for even higher efficiency and reliability. I would like to express my gratitude to our business partners for their tremendous contributions over the years. Our airport could not have achieved this certification without them.”

An additional 21 cool dollies will be purchased for approximately HK$16 million (US$2.04 million) later this year to support the growth of the pharma sector at HKIA, according to the airport authority.