Joint working group to produce guidance on air cargo logistics for COVID-19 vaccines

The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) and Pharma.Aero have announced a collaboration to develop global guidance for the air cargo industry to enable the optimal transportation of the COVID-19 vaccine.

According to the organisations, the guidance will be developed gradually in four work packages through a joint group to ensure feedback from all stakeholders in the supply chain of air cargo and pharmaceuticals. They highlight that in the months to come, air freight will make an important contribution to the global public good and in fighting the pandemic by playing a vital role in the COVID-19 vaccine global supply chain.

To address concerns regarding the global supply chain ability to transport a COVID-19 vaccine, the joint working group will will consist of members of both organisations and will also reach out to various international organisations. It will bring to the table key industry stakeholders, including pharmaceutical manufacturers and logistics businesses.

The aim of this programme is to provide the air cargo industry with more clarity of the demands, expectations and quality supply chain requirements, including but not restricted to critical trade lanes, air cargo capacity, handling and storage, as well as track and trace requirements for a COVID-19 vaccine. 

At the same time, shippers will be able to gain more understanding about the capabilities of the various logistics players. The organisations say that this will ensure that once the vaccine is available in the market, the air cargo industry will be ready to respond to the needs of the shippers and transport vaccines in optimal conditions to all corners of the globe.

“COVID-19 vaccine delivery will be one of the biggest logistical challenges in modern history. No one company can own the end-to-end vaccine supply chain,” said Neel Jones Shah, TIACA board member and Global Head of Airfreight at Flexport. “I’m proud to be a member of the TIACA and Pharma.Aero working group, which is doing the critical work of connecting all vaccine supply chain stakeholders to foster effective communication and collaboration. We need to start working together now to ensure the industry is prepared when the time comes.”

“Setting up reliable end-to-end air transportation for pharma shippers is part of the vision and mission of Pharma.Aero. Among our members, ie, life sciences and pharmaceutical shippers, certified airport communities and air cargo operators, we have a track record of project-based collaboration,” said Nathan De Valck, chairman of Pharma.Aero. 

The results from the working group will be shared with the industry through white papers and webinars in later stages of the programme which aims to complete its role by the end of 2020.