• Covid-19 vaccine air cargo distribution delivered over 10 billion doses globally, acting as a stress test that accelerated pharma logistics innovation by a decade in just two years.
• Cold chain infrastructure expanded permanently, with hubs like Brussels and Emirates SkyCargo adding large-scale temperature-controlled facilities, while airlines embedded ultra-cold capabilities into standard pharma offerings.
• Digitalisation surged, with IoT-enabled smart containers, blockchain tracking, and IATA’s ONE Record standard driving 24/7 visibility, predictive analytics, and end-to-end shipment integrity.
• Standardisation and certification gained momentum, as CEIV Pharma accreditations doubled post-2021 and pharma corridors ensured consistent, GDP-compliant handling worldwide.
• Resilience and geographic diversification reshaped air freight, with pharma firms decentralising production and logistics to new regions, spurring demand for agile, point-to-point cold chain networks.

The global COVID-19 vaccine rollout this decade is one of the most logistically complex public health operations in history. It permanently transformed the pharmaceutical airfreight sector. From setting new operational standards to accelerating infrastructure investments, the legacy of this unprecedented effort continues to shape the strategies, policies and capabilities of the pharmaceutical supply chain.

A paradigm shift in air freight logistics

Before the pandemic, the pharmaceutical air cargo industry operated under rigorous standards, particularly concerning temperature-sensitive goods. However, the sheer scale, urgency and complexity of COVID-19 vaccine distribution – particularly mRNA vaccines requiring ultra-cold storage – stressed existing systems beyond prior limits.

Speaking on the matter, Glyn Hughes, Director General of The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA), has remarked: “The pandemic has moved pharma logistics ten years forward in two years. Vaccine distribution highlighted not only where we needed to improve, but what we were truly capable of when forced to act at scale.”

Indeed, COVID-19 served as a ‘stress test’ that catalysed permanent enhancements in visibility, coordination and investment. According to IATA, over 10 billion vaccine doses were delivered globally, the majority through air transport. This feat revealed both operational gaps and untapped efficiencies that are now being systematically addressed.

Strengthened cold chain infrastructure

One of the most visible long-term impacts is the significant upgrade in cold chain capabilities. The need to transport vaccines at temperatures as low as -70°C spurred investment in both ground and airborne temperature-controlled infrastructure.

In the words of Dorothea von Boxberg, CEO of Lufthansa Cargo during the pandemic: “We had to act quickly to expand our deep-frozen capabilities—not just in aircraft but in our facilities on the ground. What started as a temporary solution has now become a permanent part of our premium pharma offering.”

Airports and airlines worldwide have since expanded and upgraded their pharmaceutical handling capacity. For instance, Brussels Airport added 10,000 sq m of temperature-controlled space, while Emirates SkyCargo enhanced its GDP-certified infrastructure across strategic hubs.

Such developments reflect a broader shift in investment priorities, with pharmaceutical logistics now considered a cornerstone of air cargo growth strategies. A 2024 report by DHL indicated that 78% of major logistics providers plan to further increase cold chain infrastructure spending over the next five years.

Enhanced visibility and digital tracking

Real-time data tracking and supply chain visibility became non-negotiable during vaccine distribution, leading to a boom in digitalisation across the sector. Temperature loggers, GPS tracking and blockchain-based platforms were widely adopted to ensure integrity, accountability and compliance.

“COVID-19 was a wake-up call. Stakeholders – from shippers to regulators – demanded end-to-end visibility,” said Ashwin Bhat, CEO of Lufthansa Cargo. “That expectation is now the norm, not the exception.”

Companies such as SkyCell, Envirotainer and Va-Q-Tec have continued to innovate smart containers equipped with IoT technology. Additionally, the rollout of IATA’s ONE Record standard promises to unify air cargo data flows, allowing seamless, secure data sharing across stakeholders.

The impact is evident in current procurement contracts, where clients increasingly require 24/7 monitoring and predictive analytics as part of standard service. The ability to not only detect but prevent excursions has become a competitive differentiator in pharma freight.

Standardisation and certification initiatives

Another lasting consequence of the vaccine distribution effort has been the push toward standardised pharmaceutical handling procedures. During the pandemic, disparities in processes and regulation between regions hampered efficiency.

As a corrective measure, there has been a surge in demand for internationally recognised certifications such as IATA’s CEIV Pharma (Centre of Excellence for Independent Validators). Airlines, ground handlers and freight forwarders have aggressively pursued accreditation to signal compliance and win client trust.

CEIV Pharma certifications have doubled since 2021, with more airports now forming pharma corridors to ensure consistent quality throughout the supply chain. According to Andrea Gruber, head of special cargo at IATA, “Standardisation is no longer optional. Shippers want reassurance that their product will be handled to the highest standards, regardless of where it goes.”

This harmonisation of processes is likely to benefit not only emergency response scenarios but routine pharmaceutical shipments, creating a more resilient and reliable global supply chain.

Supply chain resilience and geographic diversification

COVID-19 also exposed the vulnerabilities of over-centralised manufacturing and distribution models. In response, pharmaceutical companies have begun diversifying their production bases and warehousing strategies, requiring more agile and responsive freight networks.

For air cargo, this translates into increased demand for point-to-point, regionalised logistics services rather than a hub-and-spoke approach. Airlines are now re-evaluating their fleet and route planning with pharma demand in mind.

“This isn’t just about capacity, it’s about geography,” noted Guillaume Halleux, Chief Cargo Officer at Qatar Airways at the time. “We’re seeing new lanes emerge because pharma clients want to reduce their dependence on single markets or routes. Airfreight must be ready to follow that decentralisation.”

This trend is further supported by governments and health organisations advocating for regional vaccine manufacturing capabilities – especially in Africa, Latin America and South Asia. The resulting shift in logistics flows presents both challenges and opportunities for air freight operators.

A new normal in pharmaceutical airfreight

The COVID-19 vaccine distribution effort catalysed sweeping reforms in how pharmaceutical goods are handled, monitored, and delivered via air. From infrastructure upgrades and digital innovation to regulatory standardisation and strategic diversification, the pandemic left a transformative legacy.

As the pharmaceutical industry continues to grow – driven by an ageing population, new therapies and increased global health preparedness – the airfreight sector must remain agile, compliant, and technologically advanced. The lessons of the pandemic are not just about what went wrong, but what can go right when the world moves swiftly and collaboratively.

With sustained investment and strategic foresight, the sector is poised not only to meet today’s standards but to define tomorrow’s.