• Pharma airfreight as a lifeline: Air France KLM Martinair Cargo operates dual hubs in Amsterdam and Paris, offering specialised, temperature-controlled solutions for regional and intercontinental pharmaceutical shipments.
• Adapting to evolving pharma needs: Expansion of cool-room capacity, GDP/CEIV-compliant processes, and enhanced 100% cold chain integrity meet the demands of personalised medicine, advanced therapies, and fast-moving global supply chains.
• Digitalisation and AI integration: Real-time dashboards, customer transparency tools, and emerging AI-driven monitoring improve cool chain performance, proactive notifications, and operational efficiency.
• Sustainability initiatives: Paris CDG’s new CO₂-based cool cell reduces environmental impact, while seasonal Thermal Covers in Amsterdam protect consolidated shipments from extreme temperatures, aligning compliance with eco-friendly practices.
• Strategic focus for resilience and growth: Investments in infrastructure, digital solutions, and end-to-end visibility reinforce reliability amid geopolitical, trade, and market fluctuations, cementing leadership in global pharmaceutical logistics.

Pharmaceutical transport is not just another cargo segment — it is a lifeline. At Air France KLM Martinair Cargo, we take pride in supporting this essential industry through our specialised, temperature-controlled airfreight solutions. With dual hubs in Amsterdam and Paris, both at the heart of Europe’s “pharma belt,” we provide unmatched connectivity to serve both regional and intercontinental markets.

Pharma logistics continues to be one of our key strategic focus areas, driven by strong market demand and the sector’s global significance. Therefore, we will continue to strengthen our reputation as a reliable, purpose driven partner in essential supply chains. This dedication was especially visible during the pandemic, when maintaining reliable airlift for medicines and vaccines became a societal necessity.

Adapting to a changing industry

The pharmaceutical sector is evolving rapidly, driven by demographic shifts, medical breakthroughs, and new treatment modalities. Customers expect fast, compliant, and transparent supply chain solutions. In response, we have expanded cool-room capacity, strengthened GDP/CEIV-compliant processes, and enhanced our commitment to 100% cool chain integrity.

Emerging fields such as personalised medicine and advanced therapies add further complexity — requiring closer collaboration with shippers, forwarders, and life-science clusters. We continue to adapt our service portfolio to meet these requirements, where speed and product integrity are paramount, while refining our broad network and adding new destinations to address the evolving needs of our customers.

Digitalisation is transforming pharma logistics, and we are investing heavily in it. Our internal dashboards give real-time insights to manage cool chain performance and eliminate bottlenecks, while our digital services provide customers with transparency and proactive updates throughout the journey.

Looking forward, we are exploring the potential of AI in combination with new monitoring solutions— all aimed at reinforcing reliability and consistency across the pharma supply chain.

Sustainability and responsibility

Operating a compliant cool chain goes hand-in-hand with meeting environmental commitments. One recent example is the introduction of a new cool cell at Paris CDG that uses CO₂-based technology, drastically lowering environmental impact compared to conventional refrigerants.

As more customers seek greener supply chains, we are determined to co-develop solutions that balance temperature-sensitive handling with sustainable practices.

Geopolitical tensions, trade fluctuations, and shifting transport patterns continue to shape pharma logistics. While some flows shift from sea to air to safeguard agility, other flows are slowing down for the same change of tariffs.  Through all this, our focus is unwavering: delivering on time, every time, with full cold chain integrity.

The road ahead

Growth opportunities lie in strengthening time-critical offerings, achieving end-to-end visibility, and ensuring 100% cool chain integrity. A recent example of this commitment is the introduction of Thermal Covers, which, starting this summer, we systematically apply in Amsterdam to all consolidated pharma shipments.

This seasonal initiative provides an additional layer of protection against extreme heat and temperature fluctuations, safeguarding product integrity and giving our customers greater peace of mind. By continuing to invest in our GDP-compliant network, digital solutions, and cool chain infrastructure, we aim to reinforce our leadership in the global pharmaceutical logistics arena.