Air China Cargo has signed a global master lease agreement (MLA) with Envirotainer to meet demand for temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical cargo.
The new partnership will benefit bio-pharma firms importing and exporting active pharma ingredients, intermediates and other bulk and semi-finished products.
Air China Cargo also plans to roll out a cold chain product this spring with further network expansion planned in 2016 based on market demand.
The airline says it has identified five stations in Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore, Frankfurt and Geneva as launch stations in its first phase of implementation.
Air China Cargo vice president for service and operations, Ray Lo says: “We are extremely pleased to be Envirotainer’s first airline partner in Mainland China. We place great importance in ensuring that pharmaceutical products carried on us get absolute care.
“With the extensive expertise and global presence Envirotainer has in the active cold chain, this allows us to ensure that temperature-sensitive shipments are just as effective and safe as when they left the production line.”
The carrier has a fleet comprising of 15 freighters, which serve 26 routes and also has a substantial bellyhold network.