With this CEIV certification, the airport meets the high demands of the pharmaceutical industry for the transportation and storage of their products.
“Pharma forms an important segment in air cargo, especially here in Limburg,” says Jos Roeven, Managing Director of Maastricht Aachen airport. “The pharmaceutical industry makes frequent use of air transport because it’s proven [to be] fast, consistent and efficient. In addition, air transport is, like no other, capable of transporting valuable, time-sensitive and temperature-controlled products. The south of the Netherlands in general, as well as Limburg in particular, are known worldwide for their pharmaceutical industry. Examples of such companies are Medtronic, Abbott, Boston Scientific, Medrad and Merit Medical.
“Maastricht Aachen airport has always been an important airport for the transport of medicines and medical equipment. But now we officially meet the high demands that this industry requires of airports with regard to handling, cold and regular storage, and control.”
Staff at the airport have been intensively trained and assessed over the past few months, prior to being audited by IATA. Roeven adds: “We are very proud of all those who recently put their shoulders to the wheel, not only by taking the courses, but also by strengthening the procedures and optimising our facilities, including two temperature-controlled cold storage rooms that are used only for pharmaceuticals.”