IAG Cargo expands pharma network to Kuala Lumpur

IAG Cargo, the cargo division of International Airlines Group (IAG), has expanded its global pharmaceutical logistics network with the addition of a Constant Climate station at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

The new facility strengthens IAG Cargo’s ability to transport high-value, time- and temperature-sensitive shipments, including vaccines, biotech products, diagnostic samples and other pharmaceutical materials.

With the addition of Kuala Lumpur, IAG Cargo now has 13 Constant Climate-approved stations across the Asia-Pacific region and around 100 stations globally.

The new Kuala Lumpur station is supported by a daily London Heathrow–Kuala Lumpur service, providing pharmaceutical customers with direct connectivity between the two markets.

The GDP-certified facility can handle both active and passive temperature-controlled shipments. Customers can also use IAG Cargo’s Critical service, which provides priority handling and enhanced shipment monitoring for urgent temperature-sensitive consignments.

The expansion further strengthens IAG Cargo’s cold chain capabilities and supports the secure movement of pharmaceutical products across its global network.

Jordan Kohlbeck, Head of Pharmaceutical at IAG Cargo, said, “Adding Kuala Lumpur to our Constant Climate network further enhances IAG Cargo’s presence in Southeast Asia, strengthening both our origin and destination capabilities for pharmaceutical and healthcare shipments. It expands our regional coverage and offers customers greater flexibility when moving temperature-sensitive goods across the globe.”

IAG Cargo said its network of around 100 Constant Climate-approved stations, supported by its New Premia facility at London Heathrow, enables the secure and efficient handling of high-value, time- and temperature-sensitive shipments.

The expansion comes amid growing demand for reliable cold chain solutions, driven by advances in life sciences and the increasing transportation of biologics, cell and gene therapies, and personalised medicines, which require fast and precise air cargo handling.

The addition of Kuala Lumpur also strengthens IAG Cargo’s pharmaceutical offering through its London Heathrow hub, where it provides third-party handling services for MASkargo. Pharmaceutical shipments routed through Heathrow benefit from dedicated temperature-controlled handling and onward connections across IAG Cargo’s global Constant Climate network.

Kohlbeck added, the daily Kuala Lumpur–London Heathrow service has been optimised to improve service quality and reliability. Its early-morning arrival at Heathrow enables same-day connections to key Constant Climate stations across the IAG Cargo network, supporting faster and more secure delivery of pharmaceutical shipments worldwide.

The announcement comes following the launch of the Global Cargo Joint Business between IAG Cargo, Qatar Airways Cargo and MASkargo, further enhancing connectivity across one of the world’s largest integrated air cargo networks.