Emirates SkyCargo celebrates pharma-handling achievements

In a recent announcement, Emirates SkyCargo, the freight division of Emirates, highlighted three milestones related to its pharma-handling capabilities.

The airline is continuing to invest in pharma-handling facilities, as well as working towards expanding its pharma corridor network.

1) Chicago pharma facility received GDP certification
Earlier this year, Emirates SkyCargo established a pharma cargo-handling centre at Chicago Airport. Since its launch, the facility has handled nearly 6,900 tonnes of pharma cargo.

The facility, which measures 1,000 sq m and has a total capacity of 15,000 tonnes per year for pharma cargo, recently got certified as compliant to EU GDP guidelines by SGS, a certification services company.

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2) Copenhagen operations shifted to GDP-certified facility
Emirates SkyCargo has moved its pharma-handling operations in Copenhagen to a GDP-certified facility for pharma products developed by WFS. The change in location means that pharma-handling requirements, such as precise temperature regulation and avoiding contamination with other kinds of cargo like foods, can be met.

In addition, the airline is strategically expanding its pharma network. Henrik Ambak, senior vice president, cargo operations worldwide, Emirates, explained: “We have done this by adding more relevant pharma origin and destination stations to the [pharma corridors] initiative and we have expanded it to 25 stations globally from the 12 we started with initially.”

3) State-of-the-art pharma infrastructure in Dubai
Emirates SkyCargo has GDP-certified pharma-handling facilities at Dubai International Airport and Dubai World Central, which amounts to more than 8,600 sq m. The airline also operates 50 Emirates Pharma Cool Dollies, which provide temperature regulation for pharma cargo being transported from the aircraft to the terminal. In addition, thanks to a partnership with DuPont, Emirates SkyCargo is now using thermal “Emirates White Cover” blankets to protect temperature-sensitive pharma shipments.

Emirates SkyCargo connects cargo customers to over 150 cities across six continents. Its cargo hold capacity comprises Emirates’ fleet of more than 265 aircraft, as well as 12 freighters. 

During the last financial year, Emirates SkyCargo processed nearly 2.7 m tonnes of cargo.