Qatar Airways Cargo expands its Pharma network
Qatar Airways Cargo recently announced the addition of Colombo, Sri Lanka and Dublin, Republic of Ireland to its extensive Pharma Network, bringing the cargo carrier’s pharmaceutical transport network to 73 destinations globally. Colombo was added to its Pharma Network on 15 May, while Dublin’s pharma operation begins on 12 June 2017, when Qatar Airways commences its B787 Dreamliner flights to the capital city of the Republic of Ireland.
The Republic of Ireland has become one of the leading global hubs for the pharmaceutical industry, with nine of the top ten largest pharmaceutical companies operating in the country. Sri Lanka, while also an importer of pharmaceuticals and healthcare products, expects future earnings from pharmaceutical exports to surpass tea export revenue, following the launch of a pharmaceutical manufacturing project at the country’s Export Processing Zone last year.
Qatar Airways’ Chief Officer Cargo, Mr. Ulrich Ogiermann said, “We are experiencing consistent growth each year in the air freight of pharmaceuticals and healthcare products globally. The expansion of our pharma network to these destinations gives us the opportunity to support expanding pharma businesses in Sri Lanka, the Republic of Ireland and globally. Customers stand to benefit from a seamless cool chain as well as uncompromised service standards. Qatar Airways Cargo customers in the Republic of Ireland will also greatly benefit in terms of time and cost savings, as they will no longer have to truck their freight from the Republic of Ireland to United Kingdom.”
The addition of Colombo and Dublin to the pharma network will enable Qatar Airways Cargo to offer its specialist pharmaceuticals transport solution, ‘QR Pharma’ to an expanding global customer base. QR Pharma is the cargo airline’s specialist product developed for pharmaceuticals and healthcare cargo. It offers active solutions to maintain a consistent temperature throughout the transportation chain, as well as passive solutions, which keep the pharmaceuticals within a defined temperature band during all stages of the journey. As an industry leader, the cargo carrier ensures the fastest transfer at Doha through its unique Quick Ramp Transfer (QRT). Qatar Airways Cargo is the only cargo carrier in the Middle East to offer refrigerated or ‘reefer’ truck services for ramp transfers at its home hub.
Qatar Airways Cargo has invested considerably in quality handling, infrastructure, facilities, people and procedures at each of its pharma stations, as well as implementing a complete quality audit and stringent training modules, ensuring the high operating standards are met for pharmaceuticals and healthcare products.
Expertly trained staff are on hand at every pharma destination to ensure the cool chain is unbroken. The significant investments in the cool chain and expansion of its pharma network is part of the cargo carrier’s strategy and commitment to improve and enhance its product offering for the benefit of the pharmaceutical industry globally.
