Etihad Cargo has launched a development programme to further build its pharmaceutical business.
Pharma Champions was developed by Etihad Cargo’s business development, learning and development, and operations support teams to enhance local expertise, benefiting the carrier’s customers and partners with improved service levels.
The programme comprises online and onsite training, a visit to Etihad Cargo’s dedicated pharmaceutical hub and the development of a dedicated PharmaLife action plan, giving participants the tools to identify new business opportunities and ensure Etihad Cargo’s PharmaLife product is delivered in full compliance with international standards.
“Etihad Cargo has developed and launched Pharma Champions to enhance the carrier’s capabilities in transporting high-value, temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals across its global network,” said Tim Isik, vice president commercial at Etihad Cargo.
“In addition to giving participants — Etihad Cargo’s Pharma Champions — a more in-depth understanding of PharmaLife’s key features, the programme facilitates the development of a tailored PharmaLife action plan that will enable the champions to provide customer service excellence, enhanced customer response times and expertise within their regions.
“These Pharma Champions are an integral part of Etihad Cargo’s cool chain strategy and operations for the coming years and will act as focal contact points in the carrier’s key PharmaLife markets.
“This will enable Etihad Cargo to enhance regional knowledge hubs, mitigating the challenges of operating across multiple time zones and ensuring the carrier can respond to customer enquiries more quickly and efficiently.”
Etihad Cargo achieved IATA CEIV Pharma recertification in 2022. Pharma Champions was developed in full compliance with IATA CEIV Pharma guidelines and is designed to enhance Etihad Cargo’s capabilities to deliver consistent standards while transporting shipments via the carrier’s pharmaceutical shipment solution PharmaLife.
In the last 12 months, Etihad Cargo has recorded a 49% increase in pharmaceutical and life sciences products tonnage compared to the previous year.
To strengthen connections between Abu Dhabi and the rest of the world, Etihad Cargo has developed over 1,330 IATA CEIV Pharma and GDP-certified trade lanes, ensuring product integrity during transportation.
The carrier has also invested in infrastructure to support Abu Dhabi’s vision to become a global pharmaceutical and life sciences hub, including the commissioning of a 3,300 sq m cool chain facility at Abu Dhabi Airport.
Established in partnership with Etihad Airport Services Cargo and Abu Dhabi Airports, the new facility will double Etihad Cargo’s cool chain capacity to carry and accommodate an additional 50,000 tonnes of cool chain commodities.
