Cathay Pacific has become the first airline in Hong Kong to be awarded IATA CEIV Pharma Certification, a globally-recognised pharmaceutical product handling accreditation.

The certification underlines the carrier’s capabilities in the treatment and transportation of high-value, time-sensitive and temperature-controlled pharmaceutical products with speed, consistency and efficiency.

In harness with aviation industry stakeholders and regulators, IATA created the Centre of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) with the aim of helping organisations involved in the air cargo supply chain achieve pharmaceutical handling excellence.

CEIV Pharma Certification addresses the industry’s needs for safety, security, compliance and efficiency in the transportation of pharmaceutical products. It seeks to minimise product loss attributed to handling and environmental factors during transport. 

The certification encompasses, and in some cases exceeds, existing pharmaceutical standards and guidelines such as the European Union’s Good Distribution Practice and the World Health Organization (Annex 5) Good Distribution Practices for Pharmaceutical Products.

Cathay Pacific Director Commercial and Cargo Ronald Lam said: “It is a great honour to have been awarded IATA CEIV Pharma Certification, which recognises our commitment to our pharmaceutical customers. Cathay Pacific Cargo adheres to the highest operating standards and this certification highlights our capabilities in handling these precious, time-sensitive and often life-saving shipments.”

In addition to other airport stakeholders in Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific Services Limited (CPSL) – a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cathay Pacific which operates the Cathay Pacific Cargo Terminal, and Hong Kong Airport Services Lid (HAS) – another wholly-owned subsidiary which provides ground handling services to airlines, have also been awarded CEIV Pharma Certification. 

This collaborative approach boosts Hong Kong’s reputation as a key international airfreight gateway for the handling of pharmaceutical products.