Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals (Hactl) – Hong Kong’s largest cargo handler – is the first handling facility at the airport to achieve Good Distribution Practices (GDP) accreditation, bringing it in line with the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) quality assurance guidelines for the handling of pharmaceuticals.

To meet the GDP guidelines, Hactl has enhanced the temperature-controlled zones in its SuperTerminal 1 facility, to accommodate pharmaceutical products requiring temperatures of 15°C to 25°C, 2°C to 8°C, and -15°C to -25°C; these are equipped with temperature mapping and 24-hour monitoring by trained operatives. Hactl has also designated a fast-track ‘Golden Route’ to ensure that all pharmaceutical cargo enjoys the fastest possible transit between the apron and the handling areas.

Hactl supervisors and corresponding managers have undergone professional GDP training on standards, operating procedures and quality issues. All pharmaceutical handling areas are now regularly cleaned and sanitised in accordance with GDP hygiene standards. 

“As the leading cargo terminal in Hong Kong, Hactl has a tradition of adopting all internationally recognised best practices in all aspects of its business,” said Hactl chief executive Mark Whitehead. 

“Given the growing importance of pharma traffic to the airfreight industry, we see it as our duty to our customers to introduce the highest-possible standards for the handling of such cargo, and we have pioneered this in Hong Kong with our GDP certification.”