SpiceJet has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with cargo handler GMR Hyderabad Air Cargo (GHAC) as it aims to provide a ‘seamless’ service for Covid-19 vaccine manufacturers in the region.

As part of the deal, the airline’s cargo arm SpiceXpress will provide the first-mile pickup and last-mile delivery of Covid-19 vaccines across the domestic and international markets. It will also build on a sustainable cold chain network to make sure that the vaccines are transported in a temperature-controlled environment.

Under the agreement, GHAC will provide the required space on priority for SpiceJet’s vaccine shipments, alongside training its personnel together with the airline for specific customer requirements.

SpiceJet on its part will keep a dedicated fleet of freighters, including wide-body aircraft, to handle all domestic and international consignments at Hyderabad airport, which is expected to be a key hub in the manufacturing and distribution of the vaccine.

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“Delivering Covid-19 vaccines safely not just within India but across the globe is a task we are fully committed to,” said Ajay Singh, Chairman & Managing Director, SpiceJet.

“With strong partners and our capability to transport extremely sensitive drugs and vaccines in controlled temperatures of up to -40°C, we feel that we are fully prepared to assist in the biggest vaccination drive in the history of mankind,” he added.

As part of its continued efforts to take up the responsibility of transporting Covid-19 vaccine to every part of the country as well as outside India, SpiceJet has partnered with Om Logistics Ltd. and signed another MoU with Snowman Logistics.

With a network spanning 54 domestic and 45 international destinations and a fleet of 17 cargo planes, SpiceXpress is capable of flying over 500 tonnes of cargo per day to both domestic and international destinations.

The airline has also tied up with global leaders in cold chain solutions offering active and passive packaging with dedicated equipment to perform seamless cold chain operations.

Aside from introducing a new specialised service for transporting pharma and medical products in temperatures ranging from -40°C to +25°C, the airline has a network of warehouses equipped with deep freezers to enable the change of cool packs as well as ground vehicles and containers to help move sensitive cargo.