Cathay Pacific Cargo’s community at Hong Kong airport is now re-certified under IATA’s CEIV Pharma accreditation as integrators and airlines start to transport the initial doses of Covid-19 vaccines.

Cathay Pacific Cargo, Cathay Pacific Services Limited (CPSL) which operates the carrier’s cargo terminal and ground-handling subsidiary Hong Kong Airport Services (HAS) have all been recertified.

The cargo airline said the recertification reaffirms HKIA’s overall expertise in pharmaceutical shipment handling and comes at a time when air cargo is in the spotlight ahead of the huge global challenge to distribute COVID-19 vaccines.

Also read: Is Hong Kong ready to move a vaccine?

Frosti Lau, Cathay Pacific’s GM for cargo service delivery, said the carrier has been working closely with Airport Authority and CPSL to enhance its cargo handling capability at Hong Kong airport.

This work included adding thermal dollies as well as expanding the storage capability inside the Cathay Pacific Cargo Terminal.

“This shows our commitment to delivering a high-quality pharma transportation service from an airport-to-airport perspective, as well as our own drive for continuous improvement,” Lau said.

“These improvements come at an opportune time for us to be able to take better care of the time- and temperature-sensitive vaccine shipments that will be passing through Hong Kong to our network of destinations,” Lau added.

Hong Kong International Airport is amongst a few international hubs with a complete CEIV Pharma-certified service across the entire cargo journey at the airport.

Jenny Lam, CEO of CPSL, said: ‘We have taken every step to make a difference through our facilities and system enhancements, people training, as well as our track-and-trace capability in the handling of sensitive pharmaceutical cargo. We are fully geared to support the storage and transshipment of vaccine shipments in Hong Kong.’

The airport has added cool dollies for temperature-controlled shipments and has built apron shelters to protect containers and dollies from the direct effects of the weather.

“Hong Kong International Airport advocates and supports the airport community in its CEIV Pharma recertification, which helps to cement its status as the world’s leading and busiest cargo airport,” said Alaina Shum, Airport Authority Hong Kong’s general manager for aviation logistics.