Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport has joined Pharma.Aero, the new initiative aimed at improving the quality of pharmaceuticals handling in the air cargo industry.

“We are very pleased to sign the MoU with the Pharma.Aero team,” said Manoj Singh, senior vice president and head of cargo at Mumbai International Airport [right in photo]. “It is something very different from any other association, which is more focused on the airports and shippers connecting. We believe this will really add value, quality and safety standards in the entire pharma industry. This focused product management will grow leaps and bounds and the airports are going to be informed through shippers what exactly the quality they demand is. This will open communication channels among stakeholders of the pharma supply chain.”

Mumbai Airport will be the first airport in India to adopt a community approach to pursue the International Air Transport Association’s Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics certification.

“We are thrilled that Mumbai Airport has confirmed their keen interest in becoming the first Indian airport to join the Pharma.Aero initiative as a strategic member,” said Nathan De Valck, chairman of Pharma.Aero [centre in photo]. “So they will take the co-ordinating role within the Indian subcontinent in bringing the shippers together and creating end-to-end pharma lanes together with us. So the benefit for all participating airport and shippers is that we will collaborate on creating end-to-end pharma lanes, sharing best practices in improving the overall handling quality of pharmaceutical shipments.”

The Pharma.Aero initiative was created by Brussels Airport and Miami International Airport. Other members include Singapore Changi Airport and Sharjah International Airport.