ABU DHABI: January 15, 2019. Etihad Cargo has become the Middle East’s first carrier to be awarded IATA’s Centre of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) certification in Pharmaceutical Logistics.
The certifications cover both the airline operations of Etihad Cargo, as well as cargo handling and warehousing at its hub in Abu Dhabi International Airport, underlining Etihad’s excellence in maintaining product integrity and managing high-value, temperature-sensitive shipments for the pharmaceuticals and life sciences industries.
Abdulla Mohamed Shadid, Managing Director Cargo and Logistics at Etihad Aviation Group, said: “Etihad Cargo is honoured to become the region’s first carrier to be awarded IATA’s CEIV designation for Pharma. Since we launched our refreshed strategy in early 2018, a lot of focus has gone towards enhancing our premium product verticals and offering the highest quality and reliability standards to our customers. Today our TempCheck product receives a major boost with this important certification.”
Etihad’s cargo handling subsidiary Etihad Airport Services LLC has also been awarded the CEIV Pharma certification.
Etihad has undergone a major enhancement program to its facilities, systems and processes to meet the stringent standards that CEIV Pharma demands, which combines IATA’s Temperature Control Regulations, GDP best practices, and other international benchmarks. These enhancements include the planned use of cool dollies at Abu Dhabi International Airport, thermal blankets both in Abu Dhabi and at key stations globally, and a tie up with additional active container suppliers to expand the options of temperature-controlled containers across its global network, among other initiatives.
“2018 was a pivotal year in our transformation journey, and the most successful in our history, where we were able to set new performance records across various areas of our operations,” added Shadid. “CEIV Pharma presents us with the perfect start to the year, setting a baseline for what we need to accomplish to reaffirm our place as a true air cargo partner of choice.”
