Etihad Cargo has been awarded Center of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) Pharma recertification by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The carrier is one among 37 airlines to hold IATA CEIV Pharma certification globally. Etihad Cargo is the first Middle Eastern Airline and third global airline to hold the trilogy of CEIV Pharma, CEIV Fresh, and CEIV Live Animals certifications.
Proud of the achievement, Martin Drew, Senior Vice President, Global Sales & Cargo at Etihad Aviation Group, said: “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 analyze the quality and safety of Etihad Cargo's PharmaLife product performance.”
Congratulating Etihad on the achievement, Frederic Leger, IATA, Senior Vice President Commercial Products and Services, said: “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."
Etihad Cargo recently announced the upcoming launch of a new, state-of-the-art, 3,000-square-metre pharma facility at its Abu Dhabi hub. The new facility in partnership with Etihad Airport Services Cargo and Abu Dhabi Airports will double Etihad Cargo's cool chain capacity to carry and accommodate an additional 50,000 tonnes of cool chain commodities, including pharmaceuticals and life sciences products.
Etihad Cargo achieved IATA CEIV Pharma recertification following an audit by independent validators that assessed its capacity to control and enhance its processes through a checklist focussing on Quality Management System that incorporates supplier management, training programmes, processes, and procedures, audit programmes, and quality enhancement, among others.