Qatar Airways boosts cargo support to pharmaceutical industry with new Indian connections

Qatar Airways Cargo this week launched two new Pharma Express routes from India to Doha, providing an enhanced offering to the pharmaceutical industry. These additional routes have been added to the airline’s network following the success of the Brussels-Basel-Doha Pharma Express route launched in January 2015.

The first new Pharma Express route commenced on November 10, 2015 and operates from Mumbai via Ahmedabad to Doha on Tuesdays and Fridays. The second new Pharma Express route commenced on November 11, 2015 and operates from Hyderabad to Doha on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Both flights will offer connectivity across Qatar Airways’ extensive global network.

“We are delighted to launch two new pharma express routes from India,” said Ulrich Ogiermann, Chief Officer Cargo, Qatar Airways. “To date, we are the only airline offering this dedicated service to the pharmaceutical industry and these Pharma Express flights will cater to the growing pharmaceutical industry in the region.”

Air cargo standards for handling time and temperature-sensitive commodities such as pharmaceuticals are becoming more stringent, with stricter guidelines on temperature control.

“Our thorough understanding of the intricacies involved in safeguarding the integrity of these commodities ensures that Qatar Airways Cargo continues to provide meticulous and uncompromised service standards in line with Good Distribution Practice requirements,” added Ogiermann.

QR Pharma, which is an air freight service for pharmaceutical and healthcare products, offers both active and passive solutions. The active solution provides temperature-controlled containers, which are designed to maintain a constant temperature throughout the entire transportation chain. The passive solution keeps the product within a defined temperature band at all stages of the journey.

The Indian pharmaceuticals market is the world’s third largest in terms of volume and 13th largest in terms of value, according to a report by Equitymaster. The Indian subcontinent is a very important market for air freight. With 27 freighter frequencies per week to India, serving seven destinations as well as belly-hold cargo capacity to over 10 destinations in India, Qatar Airways Cargo’s presence in India is expanding to meet this growing demand.