Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) has been awarded IATA CEIV Pharma certification for its new €10 million Pharma Centre at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport for the handling of temperature-controlled healthcare and life science products.

Opened in September last year, the centre is the only dedicated facility at the airport – the second-largest air cargo gateway in Europe – with a team of dedicated and trained experts, temperature-controlled warehousing, and a transport fleet specifically adapted to guarantee pharmaceutical shipments integrity.

Nearly 30 airlines and freight forwarders are already using the pharma centre, which is forecast to handle over 8,000 tonnes of products in 2020.

Vice President of Cargo France at WFS, Hugo Rodrigues, said: “Investing in the pharma centre supports WFS’ strategy to broaden our product offering by supporting the needs of both our airline and forwarding customers as well as their customers, which, in this case, are major pharmaceutical companies that demand the highest standards of compliance to protect the integrity of their products.

“Gaining IATA CEIV Pharma certification so soon after opening the centre recognises our intention to meet the highest industry standards. It also adds to Paris CDG’s reputation as one of the world’s leading air cargo gateways.”

Located in the heart of the airport’s cargo area, WFS’ 2,400m² pharma centre in Paris offers landside and airside acceptance capabilities and significant temperature-controlled storage. The dedicated operation has its own docks and manoeuvring area for the loading and unloading of temperature-controlled pharmaceutical shipments.

New technologies used in the facility include digital systems to improve operational efficiency and shipment visibility.

WFS has been investing in pharma handling centres at locations around its global network. In 2019, this included the opening of other facilities in Copenhagen, Johannesburg, Miami and New York JFK.

Visit wfs.aero for more information.