Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) announced the recent commencement of a new GDP-certified drug trade lane from India. The first shipment was delivered by Penta Freight Pvt. Ltd. India, one of the country’s leading pharmaceutical-focused shipping companies, on behalf of its client, an India-based pharmaceutical company.
The cargo was transported by a scheduled Maersk Air Cargo-Magma Boeing 747-400F from Frankfurt Hahn Airport HHN, Germany, on a domestic flight from Mumbai International Airport (BOM) to Frankfurt Main Airport FRA where it was then transported via Maersk Frankfurt For shipping. A hub for HHN. The Pharma shipment marks the establishment of RFD’s partnership with Chicago-based logistics, life sciences, logistics, trucking and warehousing company Xperts Group.
Highlights:
• Pharmaceutical shipments were transferred directly from aircraft to the Xperts Group refrigerated truck, by Menzies Aviation.
• GDP-GSP drug importation at RFD avoids handling of air cargo terminals at the airport.
• The RFD process helps reduce processing costs for pharmaceutical shippers and helps reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
• Maintain complete cold chain integrity throughout the process.
• The B747F is powered to idle engines in less than five minutes, with cargo placed on the ramp, quickly unloaded and landing in the Chicago area for breakdown within two hours.
Commenting on the shipment, RFD Executive Director, Zak Oakley said: “RFD’s establishment of the GDPR and GSP process to handle the import of pharmaceutical and life sciences products is in direct response to the growing demand by India’s pharmaceutical sector, which works alongside Their freight forwarders want to improve the efficiency of handling these sensitive shipments by shipping them through a less congested airport system.
Deputy General Manager Business Development at Penta Freight said: “Chicago is one of the major air cargo import markets for Indian pharmaceutical products and is a rapidly growing market. As a major freight forwarder in India, focusing on the pharmaceutical sector, we are constantly examining alternative airport routes/possibilities.” For pharmaceutical cargo shipments, especially airport solutions that can help our customers reduce their costs, risks and most importantly their CO2 emissions. Since flights to RFD are very close and the aircraft is on the ramp ready to unload within five minutes of landing,… CO2 savings of tens of tons per shipment By being able to offload medications directly from the aircraft to the refrigerated truck, we significantly reduce the risks and costs associated with the traditional air cargo airport medication handling process For GDPR and GSP in RFD, we expect to grow this trade route from India and bring more drugs into the USA especially RFD.
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