Lufthansa Cargo, together with Swiss WorldCargo and time:matters, has joined the Pharma.Aero interest group as a member. Pharma.Aero is regarded as a leading international collaboration platform for medical technology and pharmaceutical companies, as well as for logistics experts, freight companies and airport operators, operating across all sectors. The Belgium-based organization now has more than 50 partners and members. The joint membership of Lufthansa Cargo, Swiss WorldCargo and time:matters underlines the Lufthansa Group approach in terms of interlocking exchange and also cooperation in complementary offers for pharmaceutical customers. During this year's World Cargo Symposium in Istanbul and at LogiPharma 2023 in Lyon, Lufthansa Cargo, Swiss WorldCargo and time:matters announced their membership with Pharma.Aero today. All partners confirmed their interest in promoting and further deepening the exchange on innovative solutions in the airfreight transport of goods from the medical and healthcare segment. 

Time-critical medical technology or temperature-sensitive medicines such as insulin or vaccines require professional and fast transport by air freight in special refrigerated containers. The handling requirements are high and require strict processes and specifications as well as investments in ground infrastructure. Lufthansa Cargo, as well as Swiss WorldCargo and time:matters, specialize in the transport of medical goods and pharmaceuticals and have many years of experience in this segment. 
Every week, Lufthansa Cargo transports up to 1,400 tons of pharmaceutical goods. Lufthansa Cargo is very active at more than 250 pharmaceutical stations, including around 30 CEIV pharmaceutical locations. Particularly noteworthy are the large and modernly equipped pharmaceutical hubs in Frankfurt, Munich, Brussels, Shanghai and Chicago. The Pharma Hub in Frankfurt alone has already been in existence for ten years, has three temperature zones and is Europe's largest airport hub with an area of 8,000m2. In addition, the expanded cargo capacities in the short- and medium-haul segment with A321 freighters offer even more and direct connections for pharma customers, for example on routes between Frankfurt to Dublin or also Birmingham.

Swiss World Cargo is also a trusted niche partner of freight forwarders and pharmaceutical and healthcare logistics companies for the transportation of high-value, time-sensitive and high-care pharmaceutical shipments. Swiss WorldCargo provides its customers with CEIV-certified and GDP-compliant temperature-controlled infrastructure, facilities and logistics solutions across its entire network, now and in the future, and demonstrates compliance with key international standards to meet the diverse requirements of pharmaceutical transportation.

For more than 20 years, time:matters has been an expert in the worldwide transport of time-critical and temperature-sensitive products, such as cell material and medical samples for use in cell and gene therapy. Solutions offered include temperature-controlled transport by air, rail and road, as well as by specially trained onboard couriers. On customer request, packaging units from cryopreserved to body temperature (-190°C to +37°C) are offered, as well as the return of the packaging. time:matters controls the entire supply chain from shipper to recipient with GDP-compliant handling and courier partners, even across airport borders. The basis for this is the global network with over 500 partners.

Trevor Caswell, Chairman of Pharma.Aero, welcomes the new additions: "We are thrilled to have Lufthansa Cargo, Swiss WorldCargo and time:matters as part of our global community. Onboarding such a significant, global industry leader, with a clear and determined focus on the life sciences and MedTech sector, demonstrates once more the importance of our mission and the value our association provides to the industry. We are excited to collaborate and leverage our industry knowledge through forward-thinking projects that offer meaningful content to our industry and result in better access to healthcare for people around the world", added Caswell.

"We are very pleased to become part of the Pharma.Aero network and to exchange views directly with all players along the supply and transport chain on current issues in the pharmaceutical industry environment. In this way, we gain valuable insights into market developments and can jointly identify and evaluate potentials. The exchange of knowledge sharpens understanding - not only for the needs of business partners and customers, but also for the existing and future demand for products. We would like to make our contribution here with our know-how from the Lufthansa Group perspective, work closely together and thus actively shape the future of innovative transport solutions in the airfreight segment," says Ashwin Bhat, Chief Executive Officer at Lufthansa Cargo.

“In the cold chain logistics, a robust collaboration system between all parties involved is of extreme value. By entering the Pharma.Aero network as a member, we aim to drive knowledge sharing and expertise building even further. In view of this collaboration, we look forward to fostering the dialogue between all relevant actors involved and contributing with our know-how to innovation, digitalization, and sustainability in the air cargo industry”, says Lorenzo Stoll, Head of Cargo at Swiss International Air Lines.

“The requirements for cell and gene therapies logistics differ significantly from those of traditional pharmaceutical logistics solutions. These therapies put the patient at the center, which makes a robust, reliable, resilient and scalable supply chain essential. As a new member of the Pharma.Aero network, we look forward to contributing our long-standing expertise to the development of a global logistics infrastructure to provide patients with better access to advanced therapies and healthcare services”, says Lars Krosch, COO at time:matters.

Swiss WorldCargo

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) is Switzerland’s largest air carrier. With one of Europe’s most advanced and carbon-efficient aircraft fleet, SWISS is a premium airline that provides direct flights from Zurich and Geneva to keep Switzerland connected with Europe and the world. Its division, Swiss WorldCargo, offers an extensive range of airport-to-airport airfreight services for high-value, time-critical and care-intensive consignments. As The Airline of Switzerland, SWISS and Swiss WorldCargo embody its home country’s traditional values and is dedicated to delivering the highest product and service quality. The company has also committed to the ambitious climate goals of halving its 2019 net carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and making its operations entirely carbon-neutral by 2050, particularly by promoting the use of sustainable aviation fuels. SWISS is part of the Lufthansa Group and is also a member of Star Alliance, the world’s biggest airline network.

Luthansa Cargo AG

With a turnover of 4.6 billion euros and a transport performance of 7.2 billion freight ton kilometers in 2022, Lufthansa Cargo is one of the world's leading companies in the transport of airfreight. The company currently employs around 4,100 people worldwide. Lufthansa Cargo's focus is on the airport-to-airport business. The route network covers around 300 destinations in more than 100 countries, using both freighter aircraft and cargo capacity from passenger aircraft operated by Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings Discover and SunExpress, as well as trucks. The majority of the cargo business is handled via Frankfurt Airport. Lufthansa Cargo is pursuing the goal of becoming the world's most environmentally friendly cargo airline. To achieve this, the company relies on state-of-the-art technologies and constant investments in the area of sustainability. In 2022, important milestones were reached, such as the investment in the continuous expansion of the B777F fleet, the expansion of the short- and medium-haul network with A321 freighters, and the continuation of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel program. In 2023, Lufthansa Cargo plans to successively equip its B777F fleet with Sharkskin technology, implement further digital services and contribute to reducing CO2 emissions through sustainable logistics solutions. Lufthansa Cargo is a wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Lufthansa AG and the specialist for the logistics business of the Lufthansa Group.

time:matters

time:matters has been the expert for time-critical express transports and supply chain solutions for more than 20 years. Urgently needed spare parts, missing production equipment, medical samples, dangerous goods and important documents are transported quickly and reliably from A to B via air, rail and road and if required also personally accompanied via on board courier or as charter solution. This is made possible by a global network with more than 500 courier partners and airlines. time:matters generally has access to all available airlines and can therefore utilize a wide range of flight routes. Besides speed and reliability, providing an individual, flexible service is paramount. time:matters is available 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, whenever customized logistics concepts are needed – for everything from ad-hoc situations through to regular business. At any time, customers can submit a transport request themselves via the time:matters booking website, which is quoted in real time and can be booked immediately. time:matters has achieved ISO 9001:2015 certification as well as ISO 14001:2015 environmental certification. The company is consistently expanding its ambitious sustainability strategy. By 2025, time:matters aims to reduce its own CO2-emissions by up to 50%, mainly through the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). As of 2023, investments will be made in 100% SAF for all Sameday Air and On Board Courier transports. time:matters’ operations has already been carbon-neutral through reduction and compensation measures in 2022. time:matters employs more than 300 people and operates its own terminals for express and courier shipments at Frankfurt and Munich airport. time:matters GmbH has been AEO certified since April 2019. time:matters (Shanghai) International Freight Forwarding Ltd. was established on June 1, 2019. The company supports customers locally, from booking to issuing air waybills and local invoicing. The launch of time:matters Americas, Inc. took place in July 2020 as part of time:matters' internationalization strategy. The US corporate affiliate, headquartered in Miami, Florida, caters to both national and international customers.

Pharma.Aero

Founded in 2016, as a cross-industry collaboration platform, Pharma.Aero expanded rapidly to over 60 Life Science and MedTech manufacturers, cargo pharma-certified communities and other logistics stakeholders. Over the years, the organization has matured into an industry thought leader by developing cutting-edge projects, providing insights, and addressing new trends, thus fuelling the changes needed for tomorrow's Life Science and MedTech logistics’ strategies. Pharma.Aero is also co-founder and organizer of the annual International Pharma Logistics Masterclass, a unique program that brings together industry executives, experts, policy makers and international academics for a knowledge exchange experience of immense value. 

Swiss WorldCargo, Swiss Airtainer, and B.P.L. are excited to announce the launch of a self-sustaining airfreight container for life-saving medicine that brings significant weight reduction of 250kgs and thereby less fuel consumption. This achievement seeks to revolutionize the cold chain logistics by providing a sustainable and innovative solution for the transportation of life-saving medicine. The first shipment with this container recently took place from Basel via Zurich to San Francisco. 

Lorenzo Stoll, Head of Cargo at Swiss International Air Lines states: "We are excited to be a part of this innovation, which has the potential to significantly impact the transportation of life-saving medicine. The self-sustaining airfreight container is a game-changer for the industry, and we are highly committed to its success."

The topic of sustainability is important for the next generations but also for the future of SWISS and Swiss WorldCargo. At Swiss WorldCargo, we are highly committed to proactively progressing the mobility of goods and air travel as a whole into a more sustainable future. In creating alliances and supporting initiatives like these, we seek to boost technology development and actively contribute to scaling climate technologies, necessary to achieve our industry’s ambitious climate targets.

“B.P.L. are thrilled to be partnering with Swiss WorldCargo and Swiss Airtainer on this first joint shipment. This joint initiative is a great opportunity to explore innovative ways we can reduce our carbon footprint," said Urs Suter, General Manager at B.P.L. Switzerland.

"Our partnership with Swiss WorldCargo is a testament to our shared commitment to sustainability and innovation in the airfreight industry. Together, we are redefining the possibilities of cold chain logistics, and the successful completion of our first joint shipment marks a revolutionary milestone in our journey towards a greener and more efficient future," said Eduard Seligman, CEO of Swiss Airtainer.

The container utilizes solar energy to feed the battery, allowing the thermal unit to maintain the required temperature range without the need for an external power source. This process allows for a simplification of the cold chain and makes the container an ideal solution for transporting medicine to remote and underdeveloped areas, where access to cold chain infrastructure can be limited. The container is made of sustainable and eco-friendly materials in line with minimizing our environmental impact. Additionally, advanced temperature and humidity control systems and smart technology were incorporated which provide real-time tracking and monitoring of the cargo, ensuring that vaccines and other medical supplies arrive at their destination safely and securely.

Swiss Airtainer's airfreight container weights 250 kg less than its competitors and has received the full certifications required, including the one from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which confirms the safety and reliability of the product. Swiss Airtainer has also received strong support from the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) and from the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO, further validating the company’s efforts to innovate and improve the airfreight industry.

The project has already received positive feedback from the industry and is set to make a significant impact on the transportation of life-saving medicine. 

Swiss WorldCargo, Swiss Airtainer, and B.P.L., three Switzerland based companies, are committed to creating sustainable solutions for the logistics industry and are excited to be at the forefront of this innovative project. All parties involved share the same Swiss values and look forward to the positive impact the collaboration will have on the industry and the communities it serves.

Swiss WorldCargo

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) is Switzerland’s largest air carrier. With one of Europe’s most advanced and carbon-efficient aircraft fleets, SWISS is a premium airline that provides direct flights from Zurich and Geneva to keep Switzerland connected with Europe and the world. Its division, Swiss WorldCargo, offers an extensive range of airport-to-airport airfreight services for high-value, time-critical and care-intensive consignments. As The Airline of Switzerland, SWISS embodies its home country’s traditional values and is dedicated to delivering the highest product and service quality. SWISS aims to reduce its CO2 emissions by 50% by 2030 compared to 2019 and to achieve net zero (CO2-neutral balance) in 2050 - in line with Switzerland's climate strategy. SWISS is part of the Lufthansa Group and is also a member of Star Alliance, the world’s biggest airline network.

B.P.L

Founded in 2011, B.P.L. has been dedicated to global pharma logistics and temperature-controlled transportation for over a decade, patient safety and ensuring the quality of pharmaceutical products has always been its primary focus and mission. From controlled room temperature to cryogenic transportation, B.P.L.’s expertise in temperature-controlled logistics solutions includes the global provisioning of active and passive airfreight containers, qualified passive packaging, in-transit storage, advanced monitoring, security transports and more. With five locations in Germany and Switzerland along with a network of approved and qualified partners worldwide. B.P.L.’s global infrastructure, resources and capabilities are in place to meet the precise needs of its clients and ensure they remain experts in the handling of irreplaceable products, strict chains of custody and identity and temperature-controlled transportation.

Swiss Airtainer

Swiss Airtainer has made its mission to develop and rent out safe, sustainable, and smart temperature-controlled Air Cargo containers to help deliver lifesaving medicines to the most remote locations in the world in an affordable way. The company is offering a service composed of a container and its integrated software to maximize the added value for its customers. The company is based in Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland, and has subsidiaries in Sweden and Germany. Swiss Airtainer holds the Solar Impulse Foundation label, which recognizes profit-driven solutions to environmental challenges.

Zürich, 22 December - Recently, the 1st SAF-compensated cargo shipment departed from Barcelona, heading to Zurich, with Narita as the final destination. The flight represents an important milestone for Swiss WorldCargo, as it brings the division a significant step closer to SAF leverage and, thus, to a greener future in aviation.

Swiss WorldCargo’s 1st SAF-compensated cargo shipment left Barcelona, heading to Zurich. According to the Swiss WorldCargo colleagues supervising the transfer process at the Zurich airport, the handling went smoothly, and the cargo could proceed to its final destination, landing safely and on time in Narita. The successful delivery of this life-saving medicines shipment was also made possible by the professional coordination of the forwarding agent PHSE, a leading company in pharmaceutical logistics.

The cargo flight was carefully planned, focusing on the specific handling requirements crucial for the shipment’s transportation, with timing being of utmost importance: a fast turn-around was guaranteed, and the shipment arrived on time in Narita. Swiss WorldCargo gladly witnessed a growing willingness of its customers to compensate for the carbon emissions of their cargo shipment. The division is therefore thrilled to announce the successful delivery of the 1st SAF-compensated shipment on its network.

The compensated cargo shipment is only the 1st of a regular series of SAF-compensated cargo transport that the customer has agreed to ship with Swiss WorldCargo until the end of March 2023. 

Swiss WorldCargo

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) is Switzerland’s largest air carrier. With one of Europe’s most advanced and carbon-efficient aircraft fleets, SWISS is a premium airline that provides direct flights from Zurich and Geneva to keep Switzerland connected with Europe and the world. Its Swiss WorldCargo division offers an extensive range of airport-to-airport airfreight services for high-value, time-critical and care-intensive consignments. As The Airline of Switzerland, SWISS embodies its home country’s traditional values and is dedicated to delivering the highest product and service quality. The company has also committed to the ambitious climate goals of halving its 2019 net carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and making its operations entirely carbon-neutral by 2050, particularly by promoting the use of sustainable aviation fuels. SWISS is part of the Lufthansa Group and is also a member of Star Alliance, the world’s biggest airline network.