Lufthansa Cargo has started work on expanding its cool centre, which will nearly double its capacity for temperature-sensitive cargo at Frankfurt Airport.

Following completion, as of late summer of this year, 8,000 square metres will be available for cool chain cargo at its Lufthansa Cargo Cool Centre (LCC) up from the current 3,500 square metres.

After the extension, the entire infrastructure of LCC will be further improved. It was opened in December 2011 and currently offers 4,500 square metres in four different temperature-controlled chiller rooms (2 to 8 degrees Celsius, 15 to 25°C, -12 to -20°C and 5 to 15°C) as well as a deep-freeze room and direct access to the apron. As a result, it is currently the largest hub for temperature-sensitive freight in Europe.

Board member of operations, Sören Stark says at a ground-breaking ceremony to mark the start of work: “We’ve gained a great deal of experience in the worldwide transport of sensitive medications. CEIV certification from IATA has recently highlighted this.

“The excellent collaboration with numerous shippers from the pharmaceutical and chemical industries has prompted demand for our service to grow consistently. We’re delighted to be able to offer our customers even more capacity and flexibility in our Cool Center as early as late summer.“

In late 2016, IATA awarded the CEIV Pharma seal of approval for pharmaceutical transport to Lufthansa Cargo and the LCC. The carrier says it improves the service continuously, taking into account the needs of the pharmaceutical industry as well as all the prerequisites from the EU GDP (Good Distribution Practice of Medicinal Products for Human Use).