FREIGHTER
FOCUS
Going places
Ian Putzger finds that Delta Cargo is building
on its operational strengths.
In November 2018, Delta
Cargo expanded its pharma
cold chain programme with
the deployment of CSafe RAP
containers, active temperature
control ULDs that can maintain
constant temperatures between
-30 and 54ºC. In addition to
the unique temperature range,
these units can accommodate
up to four standard US pallets.
“The introduction of the
CSafe RAP container is a win
for our customers who can
now choose from the most
technologically advanced
containers to safely transport
sensitive pharma freight,”
commented Shawn Cole, Vice
President of Cargo, when the
US carrier announced this
expansion of its line-up.
Adding CSafe containers
to its arsenal of temperature
control solutions is part of the
carrier’s focus on developing
pharmaceutical traffic. “Pharma
is a key area of development for
Delta Cargo,” confirms Cole.
Delta has underscored
this with a push to certify
its expertise in this arena. It
has embraced the Centre of
Excellence for Independent
Validators in Pharmaceutical
Logistics programme
championed by IATA. Having
obtained accreditation for
its headquarters and Atlanta
hub in 2017, it subsequently
Pharma and healthcare high on the list for
Delta Cargo‘s growing operation
expanded this to seven stations in Europe and one in Asia. Overall,
50 stations in Delta’s network are now designated and approved
for pharma traffic, such as London Heathrow, which has a CEIVcompliant
pharma zone.
Multi-pronged drive
The pursuit of pharma and healthcare traffic is part of a multipronged
drive targeting high-yield cargo. This is rooted in the
airline’s track record in operational reliability, which helps target
segments of the market that rely on time-definite services. In 2017
Delta clocked up 242 days without a mainline cancellation and 90
“brand perfect” days, Cole points out.
“Plus, Delta has consistently been the leading US carrier in
Cargo IQ’s on-time availability,” he adds.
Besides the schedule integrity of the airline, a key building block
for Cole is the Cargo Control Centre at the carrier’s home base,
which came on stream in August of 2017 to support daily cargo
operations worldwide on a round-the-clock basis. It is manned by a
cross-divisional cargo team including capacity, warehouse and ULD
management, service recovery and call centre operations. Designed
16 February 2019 www.airlogisticsinternational.com
/www.airlogisticsinternational.com