Pharma.Aero has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with IATA to formalise their partnership and foster collaboration with air cargo stakeholders in the CEIV Pharma initiative.

The deal was signed at the IATA World Cargo Symposium in Dallas where Pharma.Aero also hosted its general meeting, where members representing pharmaceutical shippers, airport communities, airlines, forwarders and handling agents met, and the status of on going projects were presented and new ones launched.

Pharma.Aero chairman, Nathan De Valck says: “Formalising the partnership with IATA is an important milestone. It will allow us to upscale our initiatives and enrol the projects within a larger international platform in the life science airfreight industry.

“The MOU underlines our vision to foster collaboration with all air cargo stakeholders that support the CEIV pharma industry standard.”

International Air Transport Association global head of cargo, Glyn Hughes says: “The IATA CEIV Pharma certification program provides participants in the air cargo value chain with the tools and the means to ensure that they are operating to the highest standards for the handling and transport of life saving medicines.

“This Memorandum of Understanding between Pharma.aero and IATA formalises an ongoing collaboration between the two organisations with the aim of better assisting the industry in improving the quality of services for pharmaceutical handling and transport in the air cargo industry worldwide.”

Pharma.Aero secretary general, Frank Van Gelder says: “The Pharma.Aero members focus on creating content and become a reference to the different pharmaceutical companies and operators within airfreight life science. We are convinced this MOU will boost our initiatives and projects in the pipeline.”