Menzies Aviation has achieved IATA CEIV Pharma certification for its cargo operations at London Heathrow (LHR) and Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD).
The handler said that the certification endorses Menzies’ ability to safely handle high-value, time sensitive and temperature-controlled pharmaceuticals.
"With the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and the need to handle vaccines with the highest level of efficiency and safety, this accreditation is especially important," Menzies said.
Menzies’ cargo team at Heathrow Airport, operating with over 230 employees, provides cargo services to airlines including Qatar Airways, Air India, Egyptair, MEA, Kuwait Airways and TAP Air Portugal, handling on average 100,000 to 120,000 tonnes each year.
"Now that the LHR station has been certified for excellence in safeguarding pharma product integrity, it expects to see a significant increase in pharma volumes through its 10,000 sq m warehouse facility, which features brand new temperature-controlled rooms built for the purpose of handling these products," Menzies said.
In Budapest, Menzies serves customers including Emirates, Aeroflot, Cargolux, LOT Polish Airlines and Finnair at its new warehouse facility, which opened in 2020.
Currently a team of over 70 employees handle 35,000 tonnes per annum at the 4,100 sq m warehouse, which has capacity for 45,000-50,000 tonnes per annum.
The handler recently achieved the certification at its Sydney and Melbourne bases and has plans to add further stations.
"Menzies is currently focusing on achieving CEIV Pharma certification at more locations across its global cargo network, further strengthening its supply chain and demonstrating its best-in-class handling standards and procedures," the company explained.
Robert Fordree, executive vice president global cargo services, at Menzies Aviation, said: “The CEIV Pharma accreditation is recognised by all of our customers and the latest certifications represent the strengthening of our supply chain in Europe, providing confidence to manufacturers, freight forwarders and carriers that products handled by our teams at Heathrow and Budapest will be appropriately handled in line with the regulations."
