NAFL 8th DRAFT

Cover Story
NAFL REVIEW
E
mirates has unveiled its new
4,000 square meter cool
storage facility at Dubai
International Airport, signaling
its intent to seriously break into the $13
t r i l l i o n g l o b a l l i f e s c i e n c e s a n d
pharmaceutical industry projected to further
grow annually by 25 percent.
Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum,
President of Dubai Civil Aviation and
Chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and
Group, told the media at the September 18
launching of Emirates SkyCargo's new
purpose-built facility dedicated exclusively
Ahmed said, noting that the UAE is a major
hub for the global logistics industry.
SkyPharma also features temperature
controlled zones (2 to 8
degree Celsius and 15- 25 degree
C e l s i u s ) , 8 8 t e m p e r a t u r e -
controlled individual positions in
the automated ULD (aircraft
pallet) handling system and five
temperature-controlled acceptance
and delivery truck docks, the
airline said in a press release.
between them.
The carrier also operates the largest GDP
certified area in the world offering a total
area of 8,600 sqm of combined handling
space dedicated for pharmaceutical
products at Dubai International Airport and
Dubai World Central, the airline said.
Chaouk told Air Cargo Update the GDP
certification means Emirates is complying
with the international regulations in
transporting only reliable and genuine
pharmaceuticals, thus, helping in the
ongoing drive against counterfeit drugs.
to the timely and secure transport of
temperature sensitive pharmaceutical
shipments, the project is a long-term
investment with good intentions.
“We have to think about the future,” Sheikh
Ahmed said about the company's
investment to SkyPharma, part of the Dh600
million expansion of Emirates cargo facility
named SkyCentral at Dubai's airport. “It's
not about today. It's not about this year.”
The opening of the new facility, which was
directed by Vice President and Prime
Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His
Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al
Maktoum, is envisioned to further
encourage more companies to connect
pharmaceutical markets via Dubai
International Airport, a major transportation
hub between the East and the West, Sheikh
Quality Care
Bureau Veritas, a trusted world leader in
testing and certification founded in 1828,
awarded Emirates SkyCargo with the
certification of compliance under the EU
Good Distribution Practice Guidelines (GDP)
for medicinal products for human.
Ahmad Chaouk, vice president/deputy
regional chief executive for Middle East
Region of Bureau Veritas, said EmiratesSky
Cargo, the largest international airline cargo
operator in the world, got the certification
following an audit recommen-dation by a
team from Germany.
This makes Emirates SkyCargo the first
cargo airline in the world that has obtained
GDP certification for its hub operations
covering two airports and the 24/7 bonded
trucking service that connects cargo
“Emirates was already transporting
pharmaceutical products. The GDP means
its traceability system is in line with the
European Union and complying with
international regulations, thus, help curb the
distribution of counterfeit drugs which are
dangerous,” Chaouk said in an interview.
Apart from its state-of-the-art facilities,
SkyPharma also boasts of innovations like
the White Container, which is coated on the
inside with thermal insulators to counteract
high temperatures in Dubai and preserve
sensitive cargo, the Emirates SkyCargo Cool
Dolly—a special piece of equipment that
transports cargo from the aircraft to cool
storage areas while maintaining temperatures
of as low as -20 degrees
centigrade, among others.
09 / Sep-Oct 2016