SkyTeam Cargo Launches Program for Shipping COVID19 Vaccines

SkyTeam Cargo has launched V Excellence, a dedicated program for shipping COVID19 vaccines.

The program covers the transport of COVID19 shipments moved under the cargo alliance’s 12 members’ unique product family: Customized Vaccines - offering special handling and priority; and Specialized Pharma - the solution for all pharma shipments.

JD Eum, Senior Vice President and Head of Cargo Business Division at Korean Air, said, “Korean Air is currently transporting COVID19 vaccines, including Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines, and related medical supplies to/from Korea, and will continue to invest all necessary resources to ensure the safe transport of the vaccine. We hope to expand the vaccine's delivery to more regions by cooperating closely with SkyTeam Cargo members and sharing networks."

Most members hold IATA Center of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) Pharma certification and are experts in the transportation of pharmaceutical, health care and life science products. This includes the complex procedures necessary to safely ship certain vaccines requiring dry ice to maintain ultra-cold temperatures.

SkyTeam Cargo Members Play Vital Role in Fight Against COVID19

- Aеroflot has carried millions of doses of COVID19 vaccines to various continents. The Russian flagship carrier has transported about 50 tons of COVID19 vaccines in accordance with strict priority rules and conditions.

- Aerolineas Argentinas Cargo has so far transported 3,374,000 doses of Sputnik V and Sinopharm vaccines from Russia and China to Argentina and other Latin American countries.

- For the first time in 86 years, Aeromexico Cargo chartered a flight to Russia and collected a shipment of vaccines destined for Mexico. This flight is in addition to other shipments from Argentina transporting active ingredients to manufacture around 12 million doses.

- Air France-KLM Cargo has successfully transported millions of doses of COVID19 vaccines to various continents. Air France-KLM Cargo's extensive global cargo network, expertise, dedicated people and services play a vital role in successfully shipping COVID19 vaccines with the highest priority and under the strict conditions required.

- Alitalia Cargo, leveraging its consolidated experience in shipping pharmaceutical products, has been committed to supporting the transportation of all medical supplies needed since the COVID19 emergency started. The airline is now active in the transportation of COVID19 vaccines working closely with freight forwarders and leading pharmaceutical companies.

- Delta Cargo has safely delivered almost half a million vaccines and clinical trial shipments within the U.S. and across the globe, all with the utmost care and constant monitoring via its Vaccine Watch Tower.

- Korean Air is transporting COVID19 vaccines and vaccine ingredients to Asia and Europe and is also one of several SkyTeam Cargo members working with UNICEF for the global transport of the COVID19 vaccine.

- Saudia Cargo to date has transported more than 10 tons of both Pfizer & Astra Zeneca vaccines into Saudi Arabia and is diligently working to exponentially enhance this number in the coming weeks.

“V Excellence is backed by a vast network reach combined with years of experience in special handling to guarantee the safe, reliable transportation of millions of doses of COVID19 vaccines between continents,” said SkyTeam Cargo Chairman and CEO of Saudia Cargo, Omar Hariri. “Vaccines are vital to tackling the pandemic and as production ramps up, SkyTeam Cargo members have the skills and capacity to deliver, facilitating wider access for populations across the globe thanks to our strong partnerships with major freight forwarder experts in the pharma industry.”

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