Air France KLM Martinair Cargo ready to distribute vaccines against Covid-19
To the challenge of obtaining a vaccine that is effective and safe against Covid-19, we must add that of its transportation. Not only will we have to deal with transportation of millions of doses, but it will be necessary to work (and a lot) in storage systems because the vaccines that are already in the most advanced stages of testing need controlled temperatures, that a cold chain is not broken, which in some of them will reach figures below -70ºC.
To meet these challenges, in addition to years of experience in the transport of pharmaceutical products at controlled temperatures and having the IATA CEIV (Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics) certification, Air France KLM Martinair Cargo created four months ago a working group dedicated to the Covid-19 vaccine that has been in charge of developing an action plan that has already led them to take steps such as the opening of a 1,118 m3 temperature-controlled warehouse in their Schiphol Pharma operations center, where they are also building an additional 2,061 m3 cold room. Additionally, at their Charles de Gaulle Pharma operations center, they are nearing completion of a new temperature-controlled storage area.
On the other hand, they have added to their complete range of active containers advanced hybrid and passive solutions to transport vaccines. All this, completed with the implementation of additional supervision and intervention management.
From Air France KLM Martinair Cargo they consider cooperation and the creation of communities essential to be able to successfully distribute the vaccine. That is why they have also established partnerships with different parts of the logistics chain (carriers, trucking companies, container providers, airports, cargo/logistics partners, pharmaceutical companies, and health-related institutes and authorities).
Air France KLM Martinair Cargo has added advanced hybrid and passive solutions to transport vaccines
In addition, they have created working groups with Air Cargo Netherlands (ACN), Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and Aéroport de Paris (key hubs for the European pharmaceutical industry) to thoroughly prepare the workers of both airports.
"In recent weeks, we have successfully shipped the first Covid-19 vaccines. Air France KLM Martinair Cargo is ready for this logistical challenge, ready to deliver the coronavirus vaccines to the Netherlands, to France and to many other countries around the world”, says Air France-KLM Cargo Executive Vice President Adriaan den Heijer in statements collected in a press release.