ABC Airlines transports a record number of va-Q-tainers on a single flight

April 6, 2018: Leading Russian cargo airline, AirBridgeCargo Airlines, recently transported a record 19 va-Q-tainers XLx on a Boeing 747-8 Freighter, for its European customer, Biotech & Pharma Logistics GmbH (B.P.L. GmbH), from Frankfurt to the Moscow Sheremetyevo airport.

The 19 high-performance passive containers that contained pharma products of B.P.L. GmbH, weighing about 15 tonnes were loaded on AirBridgeCargo’s Boeing 747-8 Freighter at Frankfurt, and was subsequently delivered in Moscow.

A dedicated pharma team of AirBridgeCargo, which comprised highly-skilled and qualified specialists monitored each step of the transportation process, from priority booking for all 19 containers, to supervising the loading procedures on both the freighter’s lower and main decks, besides maintaining the exact temperature range required for the delivery, and seamlessly offloading the consignment at its cargo hub, located at the Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport.

Additional support was provided by AirBridgeCargo’s control tower specialists, who managed real-time, round-the-clock monitoring of the flight, which involved maintaining the temperature of the cargo with no deviation during transportation. All preliminary workflow, ground handling operations, and loading procedures for this complex shipment were accomplished, with the help of AirBridgeCargo’s pharma specialists, in Europe.

“It’s for the first time that AirBridgeCargo has provided a logistics solution for so many passive containers on a single flight, and we are delighted that the delivery was achieved so smoothly, seamlessly, and most importantly, in compliance with our customer’s expectations and requirements. It’s yet another example of our pharma team’s expertise, and accumulated experience in the international pharma logistics. We are constantly reviewing our services to align them with the expectations of our customers, and with the wider pharma market in order to improve our operations, including adopting most advanced technologies to further enhance the quality of our services for our customers,” said Fedor Novikov, global director, pharma, AirBridgeCargo Airlines.

Will Staddon, global partner manager, va-Q-tec said: “We are delighted to meet the needs of two key customers, and are grateful to AirBridgeCargo for their skilled and seamless handling of the project. Without our partners, it would not be possible to deliver such volumes at a short notice, and with such high quality. AirBridgeCargo’s extensive fleet and network offer us great opportunities into the Russian market, and beyond. Using modern Boeing 747-8 Freighter, this project was a prime example of what va-Q-tec and AirBridgeCargo are capable of.”

AirBridgeCargo is fast enhancing its pharma product offerings, which saw a rise in volume by 80 percent year-on-year, during the first quarter of 2018. The airline has created a multifaceted approach to develop and enhance its pharma product, by aligning its internal procedures and processes, reinforcing its international sales and operations teams, and implementing digital solutions to make the pharma transportation process as easy, transparent, and understandable for customers.

AirBridgeCargo, which anticipates future growth and success, particularly in the delivery of pharmaceutical products, is based on openness, cooperation and collaboration on all levels. It includes working with partners with the same corporate focus, and commitment to data-sharing among all supply chain stakeholders.