Qatar Airways adds Helsinki to pharma network

The Doha-based air cargo carrier has also partnered with Dokasch to offer a range of temperature-controlled containers for pharmaceuticals and healthcare products.    Helsinki has been added to Qatar Airways’ expanding pharmaceuticals network, the airline’s all-cargo subsidiary announced earlier this week.
   Qatar Airways Cargo has launched several new pharma services this year, including flights from Basel and Brussels. The air carrier launched regular cargo flights to the Finnish capital of Helsinki in October of last year and began pharma-specific services last month. Exports of pharmaceutical supplies and devices from Finland grew by over 6 percent in 2016 while the pharma service system is dependent upon imports, according to Qatar Airways.
   “The expansion of our pharma network helps us meet the growing air freight requirements in the pharmaceutical industry where time and temperature management are of paramount importance,” said Qatar Airways Chief Officer Cargo Ulrich Ogiermann. “We understand the intricacies in maintaining a seamless cool chain for pharmaceuticals. With the inclusion of Helsinki in our QR Pharma network, we can now offer pharmaceutical importers and exporters in Finland seamless connectivity, while adhering to the highest cool chain standards.”
   QR Pharma is a specialist product developed for pharmaceuticals and healthcare products to maintain a consistent temperature throughout the transportation chain.
   To enhance its temperature-controlled product offering, Qatar Airways Cargo also signed an agreement with Dokasch to offer its Opticooler range of temperature-controlled containers for pharmaceuticals and healthcare products, according to a statement from the company. Customers can now transport pharma cargo via a range of active containers such as Envirotainer, CSafe, DoKaSch and va-Q-tec.
   In addition, Qatar Airways Cargo commenced operation of a dedicated Climate Control Center in Doha earlier this year. The 2,470 square-meter facility can handle 2 million metric tons between its two temperature-controlled zones annually.