Qatar’s fourth pharma freighter to Basel

Qatar Airways Cargo is launching a fourth Pharma Express freighter service from Basel in Switzerland, effective May 8.
The additional freighter brings the total Pharma Express flights operated by the Middle East Gulf carrier to 10 each week, providing dedicated uplift for pharmaceuticals and healthcare products.
Qatar Airways Cargo increased its Pharma Express flights from both Basel and Brussels in February this year.
Earlier this month, IAG Cargo launched a dedicated freighter service between its Madrid hub and Basel to cater for the pharma market.
Ulrich Ogiermann, the carrier’s chief officer cargo, said: “There is a growing demand worldwide for the safe and reliable transportation of pharmaceuticals. By increasing capacity from Basel, the hub of the Swiss pharmaceutical industry, we are able to provide increased uplift to our customers as well as a seamless cool-chain for pharmaceutical exports out of Basel through our GDP-compliant hub in Doha.
"Our global customers benefit from additional capacity to import medicines and healthcare products from this major pharmaceutical hub to markets where they are required swiftly, via Qatar Airways scheduled or charter services.”
The carrier began Pharma Express flights in 2015, and currently operates from pharma hubs such as Brussels, Basel, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad. The routes are served by the Airbus A330 freighter aircraft, offering 65 to 68 tonnes of capacity each way. 
A dedicated hub operations team proactively monitors climate-control on all temperature-sensitive shipments from end-to-end. The carrier also engages in regular external audits by shippers and forwarders to maintain standards for compliance and service quality.