Swissport is looking to solidify its position at the forefront of pharmaceutical logistics, thanks to a network of state-of-the-art Pharma Centres, robust infrastructure, and focus on innovation, compliance, and sustainability.
With twenty-three certified Pharma Centres and sixty-five pharma-capable warehouses worldwide, Swissport has become a trusted partner in transporting temperature-sensitive cargo. The company’s facilities meet the highest international standards, including GDP (Good Distribution Practice), IATA CEIV Pharma, and British MHRA certification.
“What sets Swissport apart is not just the quality of its infrastructure—designed for temperature-sensitive cargo—but also its stringent process compliance and dedicated training programmes for handling pharmaceutical and medical products,” Andreas Behnke, Station Manager at Swissport Basel and member of Swissport’s Global Cargo Chair, said.
Swissport’s success hinges on a comprehensive cold chain strategy. From designated temperature zones (-20°C, 2–8°C, and 15–25°C) to real-time monitoring and specialised cooling containers, every step of the process is designed to protect product integrity. “Facilities are equipped with separate storage areas for each temperature range, and advanced cooling infrastructure minimises temperature fluctuations,” Behnke explained.
Cool and sustainable
Swissport’s Cool+Connect service, a tailored solution developed in collaboration with airlines and freight forwarders aims to minimise handling times by integrating dedicated temperature-controlled corridors and direct tarmac access.
This process includes a 136 sq m temperature-controlled corridor for direct tarmac access, cutting transfer times and eliminating the need for off-site trucking.
“The optimised processes maintain consistent temperature conditions throughout the handling process, ensuring the integrity of 2-8°C pharmaceutical shipments is preserved from arrival to aircraft loading,” Benke noted.
“Additionally, the elimination of off-airport transport minimises fuel consumption and associated emissions. Streamlined processes and enhanced coordination between ground operations further optimise resource utilisation, resulting in significant cost savings.”
Swissport also operates Cooltainer depots to ensure availability and readiness of active cooling containers for time-critical shipments. “This reduces lead times for urgent shipments, while proper handling—using the right equipment—minimises damage and repair needs for these high-value containers,” Behnke said.
“With solutions like Cool+Connect, Swissport consolidates shipments at the airport, eliminating the need to truck empty containers to suppliers for loading. This reduces CO₂ emissions by up to 70%, trucking costs by up to 50%, and saves up to 3 hours of lead time.”
Technological tools
Underpinning the infrastructure developments, digital transformation is increasingly a central element of Swissport’s strategy. Through the available platforms, customers gain full visibility into shipment status, from real-time temperature monitoring to lane risk assessment.
Digital tools have significantly streamlined the inspection process for pharmaceutical shipments by automating data collection and enhancing real-time monitoring capabilities.
These technologies reduce manual errors, speed up documentation processes, and facilitate quicker approvals, leading to improved operational efficiency. As a result, Swissport can ensure that pharmaceuticals are handled in compliance with regulatory requirements while minimising delays in the supply chain.
“Validaide is a key part of our lane risk assessment and digital supplier qualification. It allows our partners—manufacturers, airlines, and freight forwarders—to evaluate routes, storage conditions, and handling processes across our network. Swissport keeps its Validaide profiles regularly updated to support more accurate and informed decisions on packaging (passive vs. active cooling), lane selection, and risk mitigation,” Behnke added.
“This transparency allows for more proactive decisions and builds confidence in the integrity of the handling process—critical for temperature-sensitive products.”
The next step
Looking ahead, Swissport plans to continue exploring AI-driven process optimisation, automation in warehouse operations, and expanded use of real-time tracking. These investments aim to improve efficiency, reduce errors, and enhance visibility across the entire cold chain.
“With specialised training, process discipline, and digital integration, GHSAs like Swissport now play an active role in risk management and supply chain reliability for critical shipments,” Behnke stated.
“Swissport is investing in new Pharma Centers and upgrading existing ones to meet growing global demand. We’re also deepening collaborations with industry stakeholders and exploring new technologies to further strengthen our cold chain offering.”
