Singapore Airlines (SIA) is prepared to meet one of the largest and most important logistical challenges in recent history the safe and effective distribution of these vaccines around the world.
Over the last few months, SIA has been actively engaging various stakeholders across the supply chain and in pharmaceutical export markets to ensure that it is well-positioned to transport the vaccines with speed and reliability.
An internal Covid-19 task force was set up in May 2020 to ensure readiness across all aspects of cargo operations and manage the crucial task of safely carrying these time- and temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical shipments. Leveraging our network connectivity
For the financial year ended March 2020, SIA Cargo carried about 22,000 tonnes of pharmaceutical shipments across its network coupled with SIA extensive network connectivity and the strong pharmaceutical handling capabilities at Singapore Changi Airport, positions it well as a key transit hub for the transportation and distribution of pharmaceuticals. It plays a key part in the air transportation of pharmaceuticals, particularly biologic shipments, from Europe and India to South East Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
In order to strengthen its pharmaceutical transport product, SIA has been actively expanding its THRUCOOL quality corridor network, with the latest additions to the network being Brisbane and Melbourne in September this year. THRUCOOL provides the assurance of safe and reliable transportation of time-sensitive and temperature-controlled pharmaceutical cargo on key pharmaceutical trade lanes.
SIA will make available cargo space on its flights and accord uplift priority to Covid-19 vaccine shipments across the key vaccine trade lanes. This means readying the Boeing 747-400 freighters, as well as the passenger aircraft fleet which will be deployed on cargo operations to increase the capacity for vaccine transportation where needed.