Temperature controlled aircraft transport possible up to -80°C
As of March this year, Air France KLM's cargo division is committed to maintaining its global air freight network as part of vital freight flows. During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare institutions and individuals could and can have access to medicines, medical equipment and personal protective equipment and other critical products. Now the next logistical challenge is facing: the worldwide distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.
Around 15 billion vaccines are expected to be distributed worldwide. Many of these will have to be transported at very low temperatures. For example, the Pfizer vaccine must be stored frozen (at -70°C degrees Celsius). Other vaccines should be distributed at a constant temperature between +2 and +8°C. AFKLMP Cargo has developed logistic solutions with its partners to ensure the quality of the vaccines throughout the distribution chain and is ready for it.
Pieter Elbers, CEO KLM said: "The prospect of the arrival of a COVID-19 vaccine is very good news. At the same time, it brings a new challenge; a fast and safe transport of billions of vaccines worldwide. We are ready for this and that is thanks to colleagues and partners who have worked hard on this together.
KLM has previously contributed to the airlift for a flow of approximately 90 million mouth masks, protective clothing and respiratory equipment. Now we are going to bring the vaccine safely and quickly to the Netherlands and the rest of the world. I am proud that our Cargo colleagues will carry out this complex and responsible task."
Senior Vice President Sales & Distribution Air France KLM Martinair Cargo GertJan Roelands said: "Air France KLM
Martinair Cargo has years of experience with temperature-controlled transportation of pharmaceuticals and was
the first airline group to be CEIV certified by IATA. The distribution of Covid-19 vaccines poses specific
challenges in terms of volume, transportation requirements and security. In order to be fully prepared for this, we
started a Covid-19 Vaccine taskforce four months ago.
This task force represents all the relevant Air France KLM
Martinair Cargo departments. Our teams have been working on an extensive action plan. For example, at our
Schiphol Pharma Hub, we opened up a 1,118 m3 Climate Controlled storage facility a few months ago and we
are building an additional 2,061 m3 additional Cool Room. At our Charles de Gaulle Pharma Hub, a new Climate
Controlled storage area is about to be finished. We also introduced Hybrid and Advanced Passive Solutions that
will be used to transport the vaccines, on top of existing full range of Active Containers. Along with many other
initiatives, extra monitoring and intervention management have also been implemented."
Recommended for you...
