The global air cargo brand of Turkish Airlines, Turkish Cargo, has once again confirmed its expertise in transporting pharmaceuticals and healthcare products, perishable cargo, and live animals, as well as its compliance with international quality standards. The carrier has successfully completed an assessment conducted by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and extended the validity of its IATA CEIV Pharma, IATA CEIV Fresh, and IATA CEIV Live Animals certifications until 2029.
With the IATA CEIV Pharma certification, which was obtained in 2016, Turkish Cargo has become one of the pioneering air cargo carriers meeting international standards in the transportation of pharmaceuticals and healthcare products. In 2020, the carrier became the first airline to simultaneously obtain the CEIV Pharma, CEIV Fresh, and CEIV Live Animals certifications. Marking its tenth year in IATA CEIV Pharma certification, the brand has once again demonstrated its expertise in special cargo operations with its renewed certifications.
Turkish Airlines Chief Cargo Officer, Ali Türk: “Pharmaceuticals and healthcare products, perishable cargo, and live animal shipments are among the cargo types that require the highest level of operational sensitivity. For this reason, we continuously invest not only in our transportation processes but also in our infrastructure, technological capabilities, and human resources. In this regard, the renewal of our IATA CEIV certifications is of great importance, as it once again confirms at an international level the standards we have achieved in special cargo operations and our expertise in this field. As Turkish Cargo, we will continue to be a logistics solution partner that is trusted and preferred by stakeholders in the air cargo ecosystem.”
Brendan Sullivan, Global Head of Cargo at IATA, said: “As global supply chains become more complex, the need for consistent, trusted standards is greater than ever. Over the past decade, CEIV has established a foundation of transparency and technical excellence across the supply chain—delivering tangible industry benefits, including improved compliance, a stronger culture of quality and increased customer confidence. From its inception, Turkish Cargo recognised the value of CEIV, and we are pleased to see them reaffirm their commitment to meeting the industry’s highest standards.”
With more than 30 years of experience in special cargo logistics, Turkish Cargo supports the reliable and uninterrupted functioning of global supply chains by preserving the quality and integrity of temperature- and time-sensitive shipments from origin to final destination. The carrier conducts specialised operations for pharmaceuticals and healthcare products through its TK Pharma network, which covers more than 200 stations, and its 69 TK Pharma High Quality Pharma Stations* within this network.
In perishable cargo transportation, Turkish Cargo provides services through its TK Fresh product at more than 250 origin and destination points, establishing fast and reliable connections between production sites and global markets.
At the centre of Turkish Cargo’s global operational structure is the SMARTIST facility at Istanbul Airport, which has been recertified for CEIV Fresh, Pharma and Live Animals. With its operational areas specifically designed for pharmaceuticals and healthcare products, perishable cargo, and live animal shipments, the facility provides services tailored to the requirements of different product groups and enables the efficient and controlled management of special cargo processes. Within the facility, the TCC (Temperature-Controlled Centre) ensures that temperature-sensitive shipments are managed under controlled conditions, while automated ULD storage systems and robotic automation technologies enhance operational efficiency and process safety.
With its SMARTIST 2.0 investment, Turkish Cargo aims to further enhance its capacity and infrastructure in special cargo operations. Upon completion of the project, the capacity allocated to special cargo operations is expected to increase by approximately threefold.
These investments and operational developments are also reflected in Turkish Cargo’s performance in the global market. The carrier, which has recorded significant growth in pharmaceutical and healthcare product transportation over the past decade, has increased its share of the global pharma market from 2% to 10%, ranking among the top four carriers worldwide. In live animal transportation, it maintains its leadership among international air cargo carriers with a 12% market share.
- TK Pharma High Quality Pharma Stations: (TK Pharma High Quality Pharma Stations): These are selected stations within the TK Pharma network whose compliance with IATA CEIV Pharma and GDP standards has been verified, where advanced temperature-controlled operations are provided through TK Pharma Extra services.
