El Al opts for the Opticooler for pharma shipping

Israeli flag-carrier EL AL has agreed a Master Rental Agreement with Germany-based DoKaSch Temperature Solutions for use of the latter’s battery-powered, fully air-conditioned Opticooler containers.

The airline will use the active cool-chain cargo container for maintaining the temperature integrity of pharmaceutical shipments to and from Israel.

EL AL will be able to ship temperature-sensitive products to and from its home hub at Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv, in the belly of its passenger aircraft as well in freighters.

Moshe Popovich, pharma manager at EL AL Cargo Division, explained: “Pharmaceuticals are the fastest growing market segment in the air cargo industry. However, temperature fluctuations during transport can pose a serious threat to the integrity of these sensitive products.

“As Israel’s national airline with an extensive global network, an efficient and reliable cold chain service is therefore crucial for us.

“The Master Rental Agreement with DoKaSch Temperature Solutions supports our high standards in this area and enables us to offer our customers stable and high-quality transportation for their pharmaceutical shipments.”

DoKaSch Temperature Solutions was founded in 2013 and has since focused on the rental of its fully air-conditioned Opticooler airfreight containers, designed for the transport of high-quality, temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals on intercontinental flights.

Andreas Seitz, its managing director, declared: “The new Master Rental Agreement with El Al Airlines is an important addition to our partner network and significantly increases the availability of our Opticoolers on routes to and from the important Israeli market.

“By providing our Opticoolers for El Al, we are able to support reliable cool chain capacities and the supply of lifesaving medicines in the region and globally.”

Dor Saidof, global marketing manager and business development manager Israel at DoKaSch Temperature Solutions, added: “Israel is a competitive and rapidly developing market that has become a key area for multinational companies.

“Air transport plays a vital role here since no freight is transported out of the country by road or rail. The Master Rental Agreement with El Al Airlines now opens up further possibilities for the market to ship their temperature-sensitive goods to and from Israel.

“Especially in a country with a hot climate like Israel, it is essential that the packaging solution can reliably protect the sensitive goods,” Saidof observed.