Polar Air Cargo is set to fly more pharma shipments after the cargo operator and its sibling Atlas Air obtained the Center of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) Corporate Pharma credential from IATA.

In pursuing the credential, Polar Air Cargo adopted standard operating procedures and completed a multistep process to train ground and warehouse personnel, including its vendors. The certification is valid through 2024, which was granted with an independent audit.

Lars Winkelbauer, chief operating officer at Polar, is confident the certification will get attention from pharma and medical manufacturers, and boost the company’s already known track record for safe transport of temperature-sensitive goods like produce and perishables.

“With the increase in demand for cold-chain transportation tied to vaccines and the equipment needed for safe distribution, our customers can continue to rely on Polar’s expertise around the world,” Winkelbauer added.

CEIV Pharma is a quality certification program developed by IATA that has established high standards for safe air transport of pharmaceuticals around the world to ensure product integrity. Operators who achieve the CEIV Pharma credential undergo a rigorous process to confirm their experience, education and adherence to these high standards.