Pharma Champions was developed Etihad Cargo’s business development, learning and development, and operations support teams to enhance local expertise, benefiting customers and partners with improved service levels.
The programme consists of online and onsite training, a visit to Etihad Cargo’s dedicated pharmaceutical hub and the development of a dedicated PharmaLife action plan.
Etihad Cargo renewed its IATA CEIV Pharma certificate last year and Pharma Champions was developed in compliance with CEIV guidelines and it enhances capabilities offered via Etihad Cargo’s PharmaLife product.
PharmaLife has been growing strongly with Etihad Cargo recording a 49% increase in pharma and life science products last year.
To meet increasing demand for both 15-25 degrees Celsius and 2-8 degrees Celsius shipments, Etihad Cargo is focusing on continuous improvement, product enhancements and expanding the carrier’s network.
Tim Isik, Vice President Commercial of Etihad Cargo, says, “These Pharma Champions are an integral part of Etihad Cargo's cool chain strategy and operations for the coming years and will act as focal contact points in the carrier's key PharmaLife markets. This will enable Etihad Cargo to enhance regional knowledge hubs, mitigating the challenges of operating across multiple time zones and ensuring the carrier can respond to customer enquiries more quickly and efficiently.”
Pharma Champions is the latest step to handle pharmaceuticals complementing the addition of new features launched in recent months including the introduction of new dedicated thermal blankets in key markets.
Etihad Cargo is supporting Abu Dhabi’s vision of becoming a global pharma and life science hub including the commissioning of a state-of-the-art 3,300 square-metre cool chain facility at Abu Dhabi Airport.
The new facility will double Etihad Cargo’s cool chain capacity to carry and accommodate an additional 50,000 tonnes of cool chain commodities.