The airline is working in partnership with Etihad Airport Services and Abu Dhabi Airports, and customers will benefit from Etihad Cargo having IATA CEIV Pharma certification.
Prior to opening the new facility, Etihad Cargo transported over 50,000 tonnes of cool chain products, including pharmaceutical and healthcare products with its PharmaLife product and CEIV Fresh-certified FreshForward product in the last 12 months.
Martin Drew, Senior Vice President Global Sales and Cargo at Etihad Aviation Group, says, “This joint venture located at Etihad Cargo’s hub at Abu Dhabi International Airport provides the perfect location to link the Middle East to not only Asia and Europe, but also the US and Africa, so life-saving medicines and the latest treatments can be transported seamlessly around the world to those that need them the most. Investment into the carrier's infrastructure and Abu Dhabi hub will enable Etihad Cargo to meet the future challenges of the pharma supply chain and will play a significant role in co-creating a robust and future-proof healthcare ecosystem here in the UAE and around the world.”
The 3,000 square-metre facility has the latest technology including bulk loading docks with levellers, high-speed roll-up shutters, insulation and a real-time temperature monitoring system for faster and more efficient loading with stricter temperature controls, increased storage space, additional build-up and breakdown zones and upgraded cool chain facilities.
It also has new x-ray screening for customs inspections within a fully temperature-controlled environment, and new dedicated thermal covers.
Steven Polmans, Vice President of Business Development and Regulatory Affairs at Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone, adds, “The upcoming launch of this dedicated pharmaceuticals storage and handling facility will enhance AUH’s capabilities as a cargo hub and aligns with Abu Dhabi's vision of becoming a global business, pharmaceutical and life science hub. The strong collaboration between Etihad Cargo, Etihad Airport Services and Abu Dhabi Airports will continue to increase pharmaceutical cargo volumes and further position Abu Dhabi as a major solutions provider in the logistics supply chain.”