Virgin Atlantic Cargo first to use CSafe RAP container for pharma shipment

January 26, 2018: As part of its strategy to offers customers with wider choice of pharma solutions, Virgin Atlantic Cargo is first UK airline to approve the use of CSafe's new RAP container for the shipment of temperature-sensitive life-enhancing healthcare products.

After its approval by the US, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), CSafe has was approved by Virgin Atlantic's own operations specialists to be carried across the airline's international network.

According to the company, the CSafe RAP is the only FAA and EASA approved active compressor-driven container, which is permitted in both the upper and lower deck cargo sections of the commercial aircraft.

As per the terms of its master lease agreement with CSafe, Virgin Atlantic Cargo is ready to accept bookings for the new RAP container, which will provide customers with another highly cost-efficient solution for large shipments of pharmaceutical and life science products.

Virgin Atlantic Cargo already offers customers the opportunity to lease the CSafe RKN container, as well as Envirotainer's RKN t2, RAP t2, RKN e1 and RAP e2 units for temperature-controlled pharma products.

The CSafe RAP uses CSafe's active temperature management system (TMS), which utilises compressor driven cooling technology and a radiant heating system-depending on the ambient temperature-in conjunction with CSafe's innovative and proprietary ThermoCor vacuum insulation panel technology.

It enables the unit to maintain a strict payload temperature setting throughout transportation, regardless of the actual ambient condition.

With a maximum payload weight of 4,819 kg, the CSafe RAP is designed to accept up to four US wooden pallets or five 5 Euro pallets. It can also be bulk loaded directly on the floor of the container to increase payload volume due to its unique design of the under-floor air recirculation system, which offers an extended battery run time of up to 100 hours for typical shipments.

The CSafe RAP has a temperature range that is user selectable between 4 degree and 25 degree Celsius , with operational capabilities achieving desired set-points even at extreme ambient temperatures (-30 to 54 degree Celsius).

Darren Sherlock, manager - products and partnerships of Virgin Atlantic Cargo said: “We are delighted to be the first UK airline to offer the CSafe RAP to our customers, extending the choice of temperature-controlled active and heating and cooling containers that Virgin Atlantic Cargo can supply. With our pharma volumes grew over 20 percent in 2017. We have recently opened of our new Pharma Zone at London Heathrow which underlines our commitment to be a leading provider of pharma transportation by offering our customers the widest choice of solutions, supported by the highest levels of customer service.”

Brad Jennings, vp of global marketing and partner management of CSafe Global said: “CSafe is excited to add Virgin Atlantic Cargo to the roster of airlines that have gained flight approvals for our newly developed CSafe RAP active container. The combination of Virgin Atlantic Cargo's expansive network, superior quality and performance of the CSafe RAP offers a powerful solution for transportation of temperature-sensitive products across the globel,”

The growth of Virgin Atlantic Cargo's pharma volumes is supported by the reach of its global network to major pharma markets, such as UK, Europe, US, India and China. With its joint venture partner, Delta Cargo, Virgin Atlantic now offers almost one fourth of all transatlantic cargo capacity, which is the world's biggest pharma trade lane.

The new Pharma Zone at Heathrow is a fully segregated area dedicated to handling and storing pharmaceutical shipments within a strictly regulated temperature environment with dedicated container storage.

It incorporates two walk-in pods capable of maintaining 2-8C (COL) and 15-25 degree Celsius (CRT) temperature ranges for loose pharma shipments, and high above the floor of the Pharma Zone for added security-a temperature-controlled storage system for 24 pallets, split into six separate chambers, each of which can be safely maintained within either a 2-8C or 15-25C temperature range.

Good Distribution Practice (GDP) training has also been delivered to the team of specialists working in the Pharma Zone.

The airline also recently commenced its application for wholesale distribution authorisation (WDA), developed by the UK's Medicines And Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which will confirm its compliance with Good Distribution Practice (GDP).