RUSSIA's AirBridgeCargo Airlines (ABC) saw demand for its pharma product skyrocket 60 per cent year on year in 2018, far ahead of the global market average of 10 per cent volume growth.

The Boeing 747 freighter operator expanded its network of IATA CEIV Pharma and Qualified Envirotainer Provider (QEP) certified stations last year to deliver 'more specialist cool chain solutions in 2019,' London's Air Cargo News reported.



The Volga-Dnepr subsidiary also enlarged the number of temperature-controlled containers it offers, to include the latest RAP size units with higher payload capacity and a higher number of temperature loggers authorised for air freight transportation.



'In 2019 and beyond, we aim to further enhance our ABC pharma product as we continue to speak with one language with other cool chain stakeholders,' said pharma chief Fedor Novikov.



'As part of this, we have been helping to better inform our customers and partners by offering specialist training in handling pharmaceutical shipments as part of our continuous learning concept, which trained more than 120 international specialists in 2018.



'We plan to develop the close cooperation between the three key cool chain partners - the airline, freight forwarders and pharma manufacturers - to ensure we consistently deliver effective logistics solutions,' said Mr Novikov.


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