AIR CARG O WEEK


PHARMA


SHAPING THE FUTURE OF PHARMA AIR CARGO: RELIABLE, RESPONSIBLE, FORWARD-LOOKING


BY Joel WOBMA, Global Head of Pharmaceutical Logistics, Air France KLM Martinair Cargo P


Joel Wobma is Global Head of Pharmaceutical Logistics at Air France KLM Martinair Cargo. With a background spanning supply chain management, passenger airline revenue management, and international leadership roles, he brings both operational expertise and strategic perspective to the role. Today, he focuses on driving AFKLMP Cargo’s ambition to be the most reliable and innovative partner for pharma shippers worldwide.


harmaceutical transport is not just another cargo segment — it is a lifeline. At Air France KLM Martinair Cargo, we take pride in supporting this essential industry through our specialised, temperature-controlled airfreight solutions. With dual hubs in Amsterdam and Paris, both at the heart of Europe’s “pharma


belt,” we provide unmatched connectivity to serve both regional and intercontinental markets. Pharma logistics continues to be one of our key strategic focus areas,


driven by strong market demand and the sector’s global significance. Therefore, we will continue to strengthen our reputation as a reliable, purpose driven partner in essential supply chains. This dedication was especially visible during the pandemic, when maintaining reliable airlift for medicines and vaccines became a societal necessity.


Adapting to a changing industry The pharmaceutical sector is evolving rapidly, driven by demographic shifts, medical breakthroughs, and new treatment modalities. Customers expect fast, compliant, and transparent supply chain solutions. In response, we have expanded cool-room capacity, strengthened GDP/CEIV-compliant processes, and enhanced our commitment to 100% cool chain integrity. Emerging fields such as personalised medicine and advanced therapies


add further complexity — requiring closer collaboration with shippers, forwarders, and life-science clusters. We continue to adapt our service portfolio to meet these requirements, where speed and product integrity


are paramount, while refining our broad network and adding new destinations to address the evolving needs of our customers. Digitalisation is transforming pharma logistics, and we are investing


heavily in it. Our internal dashboards give real-time insights to manage cool chain performance and eliminate bottlenecks, while our digital services provide customers with transparency and proactive updates throughout the journey. Looking forward, we are exploring the potential of AI in combination


with new monitoring solutions— all aimed at reinforcing reliability and consistency across the pharma supply chain.


Sustainability and responsibility Operating a compliant cool chain goes hand-in-hand with meeting environmental commitments. One recent example is the introduction of a new cool cell at Paris CDG that uses CO2


-based technology, drastically


lowering environmental impact compared to conventional refrigerants. As more customers seek greener supply chains, we are determined


to co-develop solutions that balance temperature-sensitive handling with sustainable practices. Geopolitical


tensions, trade fluctuations, and shifting transport


patterns continue to shape pharma logistics. While some flows shift from sea to air to safeguard agility, other flows are slowing down for the same change of tarif fs. Through all this, our focus is unwavering: delivering on time, every time, with full cold chain integrity.


The road ahead Growth


opportunities lie in strengthening time-critical offerings,


achieving end-to-end visibility, and ensuring 100% cool chain integrity. A recent example of this commitment is the introduction of Thermal Covers, which, starting this summer, we systematically apply in Amsterdam to all consolidated pharma shipments. This seasonal initiative provides an additional layer of protection extreme


against heat and temperature fluctuations, safeguarding


product integrity and giving our customers greater peace of mind. By continuing to invest in our GDP-compliant network, digital solutions, and cool chain infrastructure, we aim to reinforce our leadership in the global pharmaceutical logistics arena.


“At Air France KLM Martinair Cargo, we take pride in supporting this essential industry through our specialised, temperature-controlled airfreight solutions.”


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