Recertification underscores carrier’s commitment to world-class cold chain standards as annual perishables volumes exceed 240,000 tonnes
Qatar Airways Cargo and its ground handling partner Qatar Aviation Services Cargo (QAS Cargo) have successfully secured IATA CEIV Fresh recertification, reaffirming their commitment to maintaining the highest international standards in the handling, storage and transportation of perishable air freight across their global network.
The recertification, awarded under the International Air Transport Association’s Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Perishable Logistics (CEIV Fresh) programme, validates the airline’s continued compliance with IATA’s Perishable Cargo Regulations (PCR) and confirms the effectiveness of its operational procedures, quality management systems and cold chain capabilities.
The renewed certification, which remains valid through June 2029, strengthens Qatar Airways Cargo’s position as one of the world’s leading providers of temperature-sensitive logistics solutions, serving global exporters, importers and supply chain partners across the perishables sector.
Raising the Benchmark for Perishable Logistics
As global demand for fresh food, seafood, flowers and other temperature-sensitive products continues to rise, maintaining product integrity throughout transportation has become a critical priority for airlines and logistics providers.
The IATA CEIV Fresh programme was developed to establish a globally recognized quality standard for the handling of perishables, ensuring consistency, transparency and operational excellence across the air cargo supply chain.
By achieving recertification, Qatar Airways Cargo and QAS Cargo have demonstrated their continued ability to meet stringent international requirements covering every stage of the perishables logistics process, from acceptance and storage to handling, transportation and final delivery.
The certification also confirms that both organizations maintain robust quality control systems designed to preserve product freshness, reduce spoilage risks and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements throughout the cold chain journey.
Comprehensive Fresh Cargo Solutions
Qatar Airways Cargo’s Fresh product portfolio supports the transportation of a wide variety of perishable commodities, serving producers, exporters and distributors across multiple industries.
The carrier handles shipments including fresh fruits and vegetables, seafood, meat products, flowers, confectionery and other temperature-sensitive goods that require strict environmental controls and rapid transit times.
Leveraging Doha’s strategic geographic location and the airline’s extensive global network, the carrier provides seamless connections between major production centers and consumer markets across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas.
The airline’s specialized perishables infrastructure, combined with advanced monitoring systems and dedicated handling procedures, enables customers to maintain product quality while meeting increasingly demanding market expectations.
Continuous Improvement Drives Compliance
The successful recertification reflects an ongoing commitment to operational excellence and continuous improvement across both airline and ground handling operations.
According to the company, the certification renewal follows a comprehensive programme of regular audits, process evaluations, targeted employee training and operational enhancements designed to maintain the highest levels of compliance and service quality.
Close collaboration between Qatar Airways Cargo and QAS Cargo has played a critical role in ensuring consistent implementation of best practices throughout the supply chain, creating an integrated approach to perishables management that aligns with evolving industry standards.
The organizations continue to invest in staff development, technology adoption and process optimization to further strengthen their cold chain capabilities and support growing customer requirements.
Active Role in Shaping Industry Standards
Beyond its operational achievements, Qatar Airways Cargo remains actively engaged in advancing global standards for perishables transportation.
The carrier participates in the IATA Perishable Cargo Working Group (PCWG), contributing industry expertise and operational insights that help shape future best practices and regulatory developments within the perishables sector.
This involvement allows the airline to remain at the forefront of emerging trends, technological advancements and evolving customer expectations while helping drive greater standardization across the global air cargo industry.
As supply chains become increasingly complex and consumers demand fresher products with shorter delivery windows, industry collaboration is becoming essential to maintaining efficiency, sustainability and product quality throughout the logistics ecosystem.
Handling Perishables at Global Scale
The scale of Qatar Airways Cargo’s perishables operations highlights the strategic importance of the segment within the airline’s overall cargo portfolio.
Between April 1, 2025 and March 31, 2026, the carrier transported more than 240,000 tonnes of perishable cargo worldwide, underscoring its role as a critical logistics partner for food producers, exporters and retailers around the globe.
These volumes reflect strong global demand for reliable cold chain services and demonstrate the airline’s ability to manage large-scale perishables flows while maintaining strict quality and compliance standards.
As international trade in fresh produce, seafood and other temperature-sensitive commodities continues to expand, certified logistics providers are increasingly viewed as essential partners in ensuring product integrity and reducing supply chain risks.
Strengthening Trust in the Global Cold Chain
The renewal of CEIV Fresh certification reinforces Qatar Airways Cargo’s long-term commitment to delivering safe, reliable and compliant perishables logistics solutions.
By combining rigorous operational standards, continuous improvement initiatives and industry collaboration, the airline continues to strengthen its position as a trusted global partner for cold chain transportation.
As the perishables market evolves and quality expectations rise, certifications such as CEIV Fresh are becoming increasingly important indicators of operational excellence, helping shippers identify logistics providers capable of protecting product quality from origin to destination.
For Qatar Airways Cargo and QAS Cargo, the latest recertification not only validates current performance but also establishes a strong platform for future growth in one of the air cargo industry’s most demanding and strategically important sectors.
