Kenya Airways Cargo, a division of national flag carrier Kenya Airways (KQ), on Thursday received International Air Transport Association (IATA) Centre of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) Pharma certification. This certification of the KQ Pharma Facility confirms the ability of the airline to safely, rapidly and consistently handle time-sensitive, high-value pharmaceuticals that require constant temperature control.

“This certification demonstrates the strength of our customised solutions and services, giving our customers, freight forwarders, and supply chain partners greater confidence in our pharma capability,” highlighted KQ Group CEO Allan Kilavuka. “We will continue to improve our premium product verticals, offering long-standing standards of temperature-controlled and time-sensitive cargo transport. With this certification, we join a select group of international operators in reaffirming our diligence in transporting temperature-controlled and time-sensitive products via our pharma network.”

The KQ Pharma Facility is dedicated to the safe handling of pharmaceuticals that require temperature control and it was set up in compliance with the guidelines issued by IATA CEIV and the World Health Organisation. It covers an area of about 600 m², and is fitted with a real-time temperature and humidity monitoring system, which can be accessed on mobile devices. The facility is subdivided into three sections, which are kept at different temperatures. One section, with a capacity of 40 euro-pallets, is kept in a temperature range of +15 °C to +25 °C. The second section is a cold room, kept in the temperature range of +2 °C to + 8 °C; this has a capacity for 22 euro-pallets on the ground, but extra racking can also be provided. The third section is the freezing room, kept at –20 °C, which can accommodate nine euro-pallets but also has additional racking, for loose cargo.

“Pharmaceutical shipments are extremely challenging and necessitate maximum dependability from airlines,” pointed out KQ director of cargo Dick Murianki. “It is critical to maintain the required temperature so that medication can be used as planned after shipping. Being one of the first African airlines to receive IATA’s international certificate is the result of the work we’ve done over the last few years to strengthen our product.”

KQ currently flies to 42 international destinations, of which 35 are in Africa. It is a member of the Sky Team Alliance. The carrier operates a fleet of Boeing 787-8 widebody, and Boeing 737-800 and Embraer E190 narrowbody, airliners, as well as 737-300F dedicated freighter aircraft.