AIR CARG O WEEK
PHARMA
HOW COVID-19 SHAPED VACCINE DISTRIBUTION IN PHARMA AIRFREIGHT
T
he global COVID-19 vaccine rollout this decade is one of the most logistically complex public health operations in history.
airfreight sector. From setting new operational standards to accelerating infrastructure investments,
It permanently transformed the pharmaceutical the legacy
of this unprecedented effort continues to shape the strategies, policies and capabilities of the pharmaceutical supply chain.
A paradigm shift in air freight logistics Before the pandemic, the pharmaceutical air cargo industry operated under
rigorous standards, particularly concerning temperature-
sensitive goods. However, the sheer scale, urgency and complexity of COVID-19 vaccine distribution - particularly mRNA vaccines requiring ultra-cold storage - stressed existing systems beyond
prior limits. Speaking on the matter, Glyn Hughes, Director General of The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA), has remarked:
“The
pandemic has moved pharma logistics ten years forward in two years. Vaccine distribution highlighted not only where we needed to improve, but what we were truly capable of when forced to act at scale.” Indeed, COVID-19 served as a ‘stress test’
that catalysed
permanent enhancements in visibility, coordination and investment. According to IATA, over 10 billion vaccine doses were delivered globally, the majority through air transport. This feat revealed both operational gaps and untapped efficiencies that are now being systematically addressed.
Strengthened cold chain infrastructure One of
the most visible long-term impacts is the significant
upgrade in cold chain capabilities. The need to transport vaccines at temperatures as low as -70°C spurred investment in both ground and airborne temperature-controlled infrastructure. In the words of Dorothea von Boxberg, CEO of Lufthansa Cargo
during the pandemic: “We had to act quickly to expand our deep- frozen capabilities—not just in aircraft but in our facilities on the ground. What started as a temporary solution has now become a permanent part of our premium pharma offering.” Airports and airlines worldwide have since expanded and upgraded their pharmaceutical handling capacity. For
instance, Brussels
Airport added 10,000 sq m of temperature-controlled space, while Emirates SkyCargo enhanced
its GDP-certified
across strategic hubs. Such developments reflect a broader shift in investment priorities, with pharmaceutical
logistics now considered a cornerstone of
air cargo growth strategies. A 2024 report by DHL indicated that 78% of major logistics providers plan to further increase cold chain infrastructure spending over the next five years.
Enhanced visibility and digital tracking Real-time data tracking and supply chain visibility became non- negotiable during vaccine distribution, leading to a boom in digitalisation across the sector. Temperature loggers, GPS tracking and blockchain-based platforms were widely adopted to ensure integrity, accountability and compliance. “COVID-19 was a wake-up call. Stakeholders - from shippers to
regulators - demanded end-to-end visibility,” said Ashwin Bhat, CEO of Lufthansa Cargo. “That expectation is now the norm, not the exception.” Companies such as SkyCell, Envirotainer and Va-Q-Tec have
continued to innovate smart containers equipped with IoT technology. Additionally, the rollout of IATA’s ONE Record standard promises to unify air cargo data flows, allowing seamless, secure data sharing across stakeholders. The impact is evident in current procurement contracts, where increasingly
clients require 24/7 monitoring and predictive
analytics as part of standard service. The ability to not only detect but prevent excursions has become a competitive differentiator in pharma freight.
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