Saudia Cargo is to work with IATA on gaining its Center of Excellence for Independent Validators for Pharmaceutical Logistics (CEIV Pharma) Certification for safe and secure air transport and handling of pharma shipments.
Saudia Cargo CEO Teddy Zebitz and Frederic Leger, IATA Senior Vice President Commercial Products and Services, signed the agreement at the World Cargo Symposium in London.
For the next few months, Saudia Cargo will continue rigorous preparations across multiple aspects of its operations, particularly on staff competency to handle pharmaceuticals, to comply with IATA’s requirements for CEIV Pharma Certification on top of GDP (Good Distribution Practice).
The process is meant to ensure that critical healthcare cargo such as COVID-19 vaccines and other pharma and bioscience products are not compromised while they transported by air.
Commenting on this milestone, Zebitz said: “This move shows Saudia Cargo’s commitment to the highest global quality standards and compliance when it comes to transporting pharmaceuticals and life sciences products.
“Human lives are paramount in our operations whether it involves staff or end-users. This gives our customers and partners the continued confidence and peace of mind that the pharmaceuticals we transport are treated with utmost care in line with international standards.”
Saudia Cargo has for decades been the preferred shipper for vaccines and other medicines across the Middle East and Africa. As the company’s global humanitarian mission continues, it also demonstrated its strong commitment to UNICEF’s goal of distributing for free COVID-19 vaccines to developing countries.
During the Covid crisis, Saudia Cargo carried over 500,000 tons of cargo, mostly healthcare, and operated more than 6,000 cargo flights.
