IAG Cargo’s pharma shipments up 22% in 2024, led by India, Ireland
Demand for temperature-controlled air cargo solutions surges globally, driven by rising pharmaceutical exports.
Jordan Kohlbeck, Head of Pharmaceutical at IAG Cargo
IAG Cargo, the cargo division of International Airlines Group (IAG), has reported a significant 22% increase in tonnage for its Constant Climate product in 2024 compared to the previous year. This substantial rise reflects the escalating global demand for temperature-controlled air freight, critical for pharmaceuticals, life sciences, and healthcare sectors.
Approximately half of these pharmaceutical shipments originated from Ireland and India, both nations experiencing remarkable growth in pharma exports. According to Ireland’s International Trade in Goods Division, exports of medical and pharmaceutical products surged dramatically by 48% to €8.9 billion in January 2024, representing nearly half of Ireland's total exports during this period. This notable increase underscores Ireland’s strengthening position as a vital hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing and exports within Europe and globally.
India, another key pharmaceutical exporter, recorded substantial growth as its drug and pharmaceutical exports increased from $2.13 billion in 2023 to $2.31 billion in 2024. This positions India as a pivotal contributor, accounting for approximately 20% of the global pharmaceutical supply chain. India's growth in pharma exports aligns with its strategic objective to become a global pharmaceutical manufacturing leader, backed by robust investment in pharmaceutical research and infrastructure.
(IAG Cargo's partnership with Serum Institute of India for vaccine transport)
Responding to the increasing need for reliable and efficient cold-chain logistics, IAG Cargo has expanded its Constant Climate network. It now operates about 100 approved Constant Climate stations worldwide, recently adding critical hubs in Cincinnati, Cape Town, and Strasbourg. These new facilities enhance IAG Cargo’s ability to efficiently handle sensitive pharmaceutical shipments, ensuring compliance with stringent global regulations.
Jordan Kohlbeck, Head of Pharmaceutical at IAG Cargo, said: “The safe, controlled movement of pharmaceuticals is more important than ever due to increasing global demand, medical advances, regulatory requirements, and the undeniable need for rapid response to medical crises. As the industry continues to grow, ensuring life-saving medicines and treatments reach patients in optimal condition will become even more important.
We at IAG Cargo are committed to providing world-class temperature-controlled solutions and have invested heavily in our people and facilities to ensure we can be trusted to deliver these goods with the greatest care and precision. A significant portion of our consignments originate in Ireland and India. Both countries are reporting uplift in pharma exports and we are proud to play our role in supporting and facilitating that growth by providing such goods with a route to market, and ultimately ensuring lifesaving treatments and medicines reaches patients who depend on it.”
Contributing significantly to the increase in Constant Climate volumes was the previously opened Premia facility at London Heathrow. This advanced facility includes a Constant Climate Quality Centre (CCQC), doubling cool chain storage and handling capacity, thus enhancing the overall efficiency and reliability of IAG Cargo’s pharmaceutical logistics services.
