Asia Airfreight Terminal Co. Ltd. (AAT) successfully obtained the CEIV Pharma Certification from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in late April this year. Receiving the accreditation goes a long way in demonstrating AAT’s commitment to preserving the cold chain during the air transportation of pharmaceutical products, and delivering excellent service quality in the handling of special cargo to their customers.

The certification helps the industry establish a network of pharmaceutical trade lanes that meet strict handling standards to keep the cold chain intact. This initiative was started by Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) to make Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) a preferred gateway for pharmaceutical products. The certification takes into account all aspects of cold chain handling in the AAT warehouse, including the upgrade of cold room facilities, operational processes and manpower training.

Ms Yvonne Ho, IATA’s General Manager for Hong Kong and Macau, said, “Congratulations to AAT in achieving the IATA CEIV Pharma certification standard. CEIV Pharma ensures that facilities, equipment, operations and staff comply with all applicable standards, regulations and guidelines expected from pharmaceutical manufacturers and I am glad that AAT has achieved this standard of excellence.”

Mr Kuah Boon Kiam, General Manager for AAT, further added, “Nowadays, cargo terminal operators must constantly improve their ability to handle special cargo. Pharmaceutical is an important market segment that is growing rapidly and AAT is proud to receive this certification that validates our capabilities to effectively handle this type of freight. We applaud AAHK’s drive to establish HKIA as a preferred hub for handling pharmaceuticals.”