LATAM Cargo Chile, part of LATAM group, a pioneer in prioritising the integrity and quality of pharmaceutical transport, has announced its successful re-certification by the Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics (CEIV Pharma). Being the first airline in the Americas to achieve this certification in 2017, the company has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining high industry standards by securing recertification once again, for their airline operations as well as their handling operations (GHA) in Miami, highlighting its continued dedication to excellence in pharmaceutical transportation.
With this CEIV Pharma re-certification, built on continuous improvement and a reliable operational framework, the airline assures clients that their valuable cargo will be handled with the utmost care, compliance, and dedication to delivering excellence in every shipment. As a frontrunner in the industry, LATAM group remains well-positioned to address the evolving needs of the pharmaceutical sector, maintaining its commitment to setting and exceeding industry standards.
During 2023, they renovated and improved their cold chain facilities and carried out a comprehensive technological upgrade on all existing equipment in the cold storage warehouses, accompanied by significant improvements in doors and electric forklifts to ensure the optimal delivery of products requiring precise temperature control. To add further value and align with the group’s sustainability strategy aimed at reducing carbon footprint, the refrigerant used in all coolers has been replaced, resulting in a 65% reduction in CO2 emissions from these warehouses.
“I am delighted to announce that the assessment was concluded with 100% compliance and zero findings, further validating our meticulous approach to compliance and the effectiveness of our quality management systems. This recertification is not just about our achievements, but it underscores the spirit of collaboration that defines LATAM Cargo, solidifying our position as trusted leaders in pharmaceutical transportation in the Latin American region. This reaffirmed commitment aims to satisfy our clients better, ensuring that their needs are met with the highest standards of safety and reliability,” commented Diego Garcia, COO LATAM Cargo Chile.
Peter Cerda, IATA’s Regional Vice President The Americas, said “Air cargo plays a critical role for both exports and imports for many industries in Latin America, especially since other modes of transport often are not viable alternatives. Pharmaceuticals are a case in point, as these rely on air transport for speed, consistency and efficiency in ensuring that these high-value, time-sensitive, temperature-controlled products reach their destination safe and sound. IATA’s CEIV Pharma Certification addresses the industry’s need for more safety, security, compliance and efficiency, through a globally consistent and recognized pharmaceutical-product handling certification. It is wonderful to see LATAM Cargo’s CEIV Pharma’s recertification as it demonstrates the industry’s commitment to offering safe and secure air cargo transportation”.
LATAM Cargo Chile has made significant investments in quality control and continuous improvement by closely monitoring their cold chain processes using their own monitoring devices. By harnessing this data, the airline has been able to identify any weak points in the cold chain and swiftly implement corrective actions and best practices to ensure the integrity and safety of pharmaceutical shipments. This has allowed LATAM Group to also expand their PHARMA network by 45% and to more than triple the transportation of PHARMA that requires a cold chain versus pre COVID.
This dedication was further showcased when, amidst the challenges posed by the pandemic, the cargo airline prioritized a second certification process in 2020. Recognizing the critical importance of adequate preparations for the impending distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine by the end of 2020 and into 2021, the cargo subsidiaries of LATAM group took proactive steps to ensure its operations were well-equipped to handle the unique demands of this monumental task.
