SUPPLEMENT


Standardisation and certification initiatives Another


lasting consequence of the vaccine distribution effort


has been the push toward standardised pharmaceutical handling procedures. During the pandemic, disparities in processes and regulation between regions hampered efficiency. As a corrective measure, there has been a surge in demand internationally recognised certifications such as IATA’s CEIV


for


Pharma (Centre of Excellence for Independent Validators). Airlines, ground handlers and freight forwarders have aggressively pursued accreditation to signal compliance and win client trust. CEIV Pharma certifications have doubled since 2021, with more


airports now forming pharma corridors to ensure consistent quality throughout the supply chain. According to Andrea Gruber, head of special cargo at IATA, “Standardisation is no longer optional. Shippers want reassurance that their product will be handled to the highest standards, regardless of where it goes.” This harmonisation of processes is likely to benefit not only response


emergency scenarios but routine pharmaceutical shipments, creating a more resilient and reliable global supply chain.


Supply chain resilience and geographic diversification COVID-19 also exposed the vulnerabilities of over-centralised manufacturing and distribution models. In response, pharmaceutical companies have begun diversifying their production bases and warehousing strategies, requiring more agile and responsive freight networks. For air cargo, this translates into increased demand for point-to-


point, regionalised logistics services rather than a hub-and-spoke approach. Airlines are now re-evaluating their fleet and route planning with pharma demand in mind. “This isn’t just about capacity, it’s about geography,” noted


Guillaume Halleux, Chief Cargo Officer at Qatar Airways at the time. “We’re seeing new lanes emerge because pharma clients want to


“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.”


reduce their dependence on single markets or routes. Airfreight must be ready to follow that decentralisation.” This trend is further supported by governments and health advocating


organisations for regional vaccine manufacturing


capabilities - especially in Africa, Latin America and South Asia. The resulting shift in logistics flows presents both challenges and opportunities for air freight operators.


A new normal in pharmaceutical airfreight The COVID-19 vaccine distribution effort catalysed sweeping reforms in how pharmaceutical goods are handled, monitored, and delivered via air. From infrastructure upgrades and digital innovation to regulatory standardisation and strategic diversification, the pandemic left a transformative legacy. As the pharmaceutical industry continues to grow - driven by


an ageing population, new therapies and increased global health preparedness - the airfreight sector must remain agile, compliant, and technologically advanced. The lessons of the pandemic are not just about what went wrong, but what can go right when the world moves swiftly and collaboratively. With sustained investment and strategic foresight, the sector is poised not only to meet today’s standards but to define tomorrow’s.


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