Ground handling joint venture of SF Express and KLN Logistics strengthens Ezhou Huahu International Airport’s position as a global hub for pharmaceutical, perishables, lithium battery and live animal logistics
Ezhou, China: Ezhou Shunjia Aviation Ground Service has become one of the few ground handling companies globally to achieve all four International Air Transport Association (IATA) Centre of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) certifications, reinforcing its position as a world-class specialist in the handling of high-value and sensitive air cargo.
The company has successfully secured CEIV Pharma, CEIV Lithium Batteries, CEIV Fresh, and CEIV Live Animals certifications, demonstrating compliance with the highest internationally recognised operational standards for the transportation and handling of specialised cargo. The achievement has been confirmed by KLN Logistics Group, which announced the milestone through its official corporate communication.
Milestone strengthens Ezhou’s growing role as a global cargo gateway
Established in November 2023 as a joint venture between SF Express and KLN Logistics Group, Ezhou Shunjia Aviation Ground Service provides comprehensive cargo terminal and ground handling services at Ezhou Huahu International Airport in Hubei Province—China’s first dedicated cargo-focused airport.
The company currently supports cargo operations across more than 80 domestic and international routes, offering airlines and logistics providers integrated ground handling, specialised storage facilities and tailored cargo support services.
Achieving the full suite of IATA CEIV certifications significantly enhances the airport’s capability to handle specialised cargo requiring strict regulatory compliance, controlled environments and highly trained personnel.
Comprehensive recognition for special cargo excellence
The four certifications collectively recognise operational excellence across the industry’s most demanding cargo categories.
CEIV Pharma certifies the company’s ability to safely manage pharmaceutical products through globally standardised procedures that ensure regulatory compliance, product integrity, temperature control and secure handling throughout the supply chain.
CEIV Lithium Batteries validates compliance with IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, confirming that Ezhou Shunjia meets stringent international requirements governing the safe handling, storage and transportation of lithium battery shipments—one of the fastest-growing and most closely regulated cargo segments.
CEIV Fresh recognises the company’s capability to preserve the quality of temperature-sensitive perishables by maintaining precise environmental controls throughout storage and cargo handling operations.
CEIV Live Animals confirms adherence to internationally recognised welfare standards governing the transportation of live animals, including specialised infrastructure, trained personnel and quality management systems designed to ensure safe and humane handling.
Together, the four certifications demonstrate the company’s ability to manage a broad spectrum of specialised cargo under globally recognised best practices.
Supporting China’s expanding air cargo network
As China’s international trade continues to expand and demand grows for specialised logistics solutions, certified cargo handling infrastructure has become increasingly important.
The achievement further strengthens Ezhou Huahu International Airport’s ambition to develop into one of Asia’s leading international cargo hubs by providing airlines, freight forwarders and shippers with certified handling capabilities across multiple specialised cargo sectors.
With pharmaceutical products, e-commerce shipments, fresh produce, electric vehicle components and live animal transportation all experiencing sustained global growth, internationally accredited handling facilities are becoming essential components of modern air cargo supply chains.
Commitment to global operational standards
Announcing the achievement, KLN Logistics Group highlighted the significance of securing the complete portfolio of IATA CEIV certifications.
“We are thrilled to share that Ezhou Shunjia Aviation Ground Service, a KLN joint venture, has achieved all four IATA CEIV certifications—Pharma, Lithium Batteries, Fresh and Live Animals—delivering the highest global standards for special cargo handling.”
The company noted that the certifications reflect its ongoing commitment to operational excellence, safety, compliance and service quality across every stage of cargo handling.
Elevating industry standards
Developed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the Centre of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) programme establishes globally recognised benchmarks for specialised cargo handling across the air freight supply chain.
The certification framework enables airlines, airports, ground handlers, freight forwarders and logistics providers to demonstrate compliance with internationally accepted operational standards while promoting greater consistency, safety and quality throughout global cargo operations.
For customers, CEIV-certified facilities provide confidence that sensitive shipments will be handled according to rigorous international protocols designed to minimise risk, maintain product integrity and ensure regulatory compliance.
Reinforcing Ezhou’s position in global logistics
The achievement represents an important milestone not only for Ezhou Shunjia Aviation Ground Service but also for China’s rapidly developing cargo aviation sector.
By combining advanced infrastructure at Ezhou Huahu International Airport with internationally recognised handling standards, the joint venture is well positioned to support the growing transportation of pharmaceuticals, perishables, dangerous goods and live animals across Asia and global markets.
As air cargo supply chains continue to prioritise quality assurance, regulatory compliance and specialised handling capabilities, Ezhou Shunjia’s comprehensive CEIV accreditation establishes the company among an elite group of global ground handlers capable of delivering certified excellence across all major categories of special cargo.
