CAL has become the first group to implement IATA's Center of Excellence for Independent Validators Pharmaceutical Logistics (CEIV) certification for both its freighter airline and cargo ground handling operations.
The Liege-hubbed group’s road feeder services and other ground handlers are also validated by the CEIV, which means it provides “end-to-end pharma capabilities that conform to the highest standards” said CAL.
The group's CEIV Pharma certification covers the group's airline and logistics hub at Liege Airport, including facilities, equipment, operations and staff.
The group's road feeder services are offered through partnership with Jan de Rijk, already CEIV certified for pharma products.
The process assessed the group's cool chain process and facilities, verified compliance with international standards, and trained personnel involved in pharma handling.
CAL, headquartered in Israel, currently has a freighter fleet of two B747s.
Eyal Zagagi, chief executive of the CAL Group, said: "CAL has committed to the pharma industry at the highest possible level. CAL has always been an early adopter of industry regulations, and now we're proud to be one of the first in the industry to earn the CEIV Pharma seal.
"The global pharmaceutical logistics market is valued at over $64bn a year and new regulations and technology have made it essential to define a standard for pharma transportation, in compliance with international regulations. CEIV will define a single standard across the entire pharma logistics chain".
Navot Hirschhorn, CAL's temperature controlled & special products manager, said: "CAL's pharma transport segment is growing rapidly and we want to attract a bigger share of the European and American pharma shippers.
“We are investing in our expertise and infrastructure, and completing the CEIV certification guarantees we maintain the integrity of our customer's products."
CAL, which recently launched freighter services to Atlanta, is looking to add a third B747 freighter to its fleet by the end of 2015.
CEIV Pharma assesses and validates cool-chain processes and provides training to guarantee that industry stakeholders comply with all applicable standards and regulatory requirements.
