The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has granted Center of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) Pharma recertification to Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics division of Etihad Aviation Group. Only 37 airlines worldwide hold the IATA CEIV Pharma certification, including the carrier.
The national airline of the UAE received IATA CEIV Pharma accreditation for the first time in 2019 in cooperation with Etihad Airport Services Cargo and its hub at Abu Dhabi International Airport. The Middle East’s first airline and only the third worldwide to possess the CEIV Pharma, CEIV Fresh, and CEIV Live Animals certifications was Etihad Cargo.
Following an audit by independent validators that focused on Etihad Cargo’s Quality Management System, which includes supplier management, training programs, processes and procedures, audit programs, and quality enhancement, among others, the carrier was able to control and improve its processes, earning Etihad Cargo IATA CEIV Pharma recertification. Achieving recertification shows that Etihad Cargo and PharmaLife, its dedicated pharmaceutical transportation product, are in complete compliance with all relevant pharmaceutical regulations, including IATA Temperature Control Regulations (TCR) and Good Distribution Practices (GDP), a quality system for pharmacies and distribution facilities that specialize in drugs and life sciences products.
Martin Drew, Senior Vice President – Global Sales & Cargo at Etihad Aviation Group, said, “Etihad Cargo is proud to achieve IATA CEIV Pharma recertification following an extensive audit. This industry-wide standard ensures Etihad Cargo’s operations and staff comply with all applicable standards, regulations and guidelines expected from pharmaceutical manufacturers. The benefits of CEIV Pharma certification extend to Etihad Cargo’s customers, who can be assured the carrier’s dedicated pharma cargo management constantly monitor and analyse the quality and safety of Etihad Cargo’s PharmaLife product performance.
“Etihad Cargo fully supports Abu Dhabi’s vision of becoming a life sciences and pharmaceutical hub. Achieving recertification and providing world-class pharmaceutical logistics solutions demonstrates Etihad Cargo’s capabilities in seamlessly transporting life-saving medicines and the latest treatments around the world from the carrier’s Abu Dhabi hub.”
Through Etihad Cargo, the firm received IATA CEIV Pharma accreditation for pharmaceutical shipping in 2019 and since then, it has made significant investments in its PharmaLife service. At Etihad Cargo’s Abu Dhabi hub, a brand-new, state-of-the-art, 3,000 square meter pharmaceutical facility is soon to open. Additionally, the business recently rolled out specialized thermal covers for PharmaLife products across all of its major pharmaceutical origin stations. The new facility will treble Etihad Cargo’s capacity for cool chain commodities, including pharmaceuticals and life sciences products, to transport and house an additional 50,000 tonnes. The carrier’s continued collaboration with Etihad Airport Services Cargo and Abu Dhabi Airports made it feasible.
Frederic Leger, IATA, Senior Vice President Commercial Products and Services, said, “Organisations holding CEIV certification and their customers recognise that CEIV Pharma certification is a key differentiator, highlighting the additional efforts taken to improve service quality and enhance the customer experience. We congratulate Etihad Cargo on achieving CEIV Pharma recertification. Pharmaceuticals represent one of the world’s fastest-growing freight markets, their transportation is critical but challenging. Shippers such as pharmaceutical companies welcome such certification as it gives them confidence in air transport. Etihad Cargo’s efforts in achieving recertification support the vision of having a global standard for the safe transportation of pharmaceuticals.”
Lastly, Etihad Cargo has committed to enhancing standards throughout the pharmaceutical supply chain by building on the carrier’s IATA CEIV Pharma-certified certification. In order to establish Pharma Corridor 2.0 between Brussels and Abu Dhabi, Etihad Cargo, a founding member of the HOPE Consortium, collaborated with Pharma.Aero, Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), Brussels Airport Company, and Pharma. By creating “pharma corridors” linking airports with accredited cargo handling communities under the CEIV Pharma program, this effort seeks to give pharmaceutical shippers and forwarders the highest levels of assurance in the handling quality.