Zurich-based carrier Swiss WorldCargo, the air cargo division of Swiss International Airlines, has gained its CEIV-Pharma certification this week, assuring that all segments of its supply chain network, operating in more than 84 countries, meet the strict temperature-control standards set by IATA.
The carrier, while small, has carved out a niche in the sector of transporting pharmaceuticals internationally out of Western Europe. In 2016, it introduced “quality corridors”– or dedicated pharma traffic lanes – in partnership with cargo handler Cargologic, and food and gateways services provider Singapore Airport Terminal Services Ltd. (SATS). The consortium launched the service with a Singapore-Zurich route.
Swiss WorldCargo is also recognized as compliant with the Good Distribution Practices (GDP) standards by government authority Swissmedic – which issues GDP certificates to Switzerland-based companies. The merits of IATA’s pharma certificate have often been compared to the GDP’s standards.
There are major players on both sides of the fence – GDP-compliant companies including Panalpina, dnata, Cargolux Airlines and Emirates SkyCargo – along with Delta Cargo, Cathay Pacific, All Nippon Airways and Hactl, which hold CEIV-pharma certifications. While many pharma-centric companies opt for one or the other, some diversify their portfolios with a combination of the two frameworks, like Swiss WorldCargo…
