SOURCE : NEW18 NEWS
Last Updated:May 22, 2025, 16:28 IST
Air India completes its first international airport-to-door cargo delivery of life-saving drugs to Brussels via Paris in just 36 hours.
Air India says The cargo — six tonnes of essential drugs manufactured by Sun Pharma — was packed into four lower-deck pallets and required consistent temperature control between 15°C and 25°C to remain effective. (File photo)
In a major milestone for Indian aviation, Air India said it has successfully completed its first-ever international airport-to-door cargo delivery of a tightly monitored, temperature-sensitive shipment of life-saving pharmaceuticals from Delhi to Brussels. The landmark shipment marks a significant expansion in the national carrier’s cargo capabilities.
The cargo — six tonnes of essential drugs manufactured by Sun Pharma — was packed into four lower-deck pallets and required consistent temperature control between 15°C and 25°C to remain effective. What made the delivery exceptional was not just the nature of the cargo, but the innovative route and end-to-end cold-chain handling adopted by Air India in collaboration with local partners, Air India said in a statement.
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Airport-to-door cargo delivery refers to a service where goods are transported from an airport cargo facility to a recipient’s doorstep or a designated location. It combines air freight with ground transportation. It involves picking up cargo from an airport, transporting it via truck or other land-based methods, and delivering it to the final destination.
From Delhi to Brussels in 36 Hours
The journey began at Delhi airport’s bustling cargo terminal. Once loaded, the shipment was flown to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport on an Air India aircraft. Upon landing, the pharmaceuticals were swiftly transferred to a specialised Road Feeder Service (RFS) truck equipped with refrigeration units, ensuring that the medicines maintained their required temperature through the final leg of the journey to a warehouse in Brussels, the airline stated.
“Exactly 36 hours after leaving Delhi, the drugs arrive at the consignee’s warehouse,” Air India said in the statement.
India’s First GDP-Certified Carrier for Pharmaceuticals
Transporting pharmaceuticals requires specialised logistics and high levels of precision. Air India recently received the Good Distribution Practices (GDP) certification for its cargo business, a testament to the airline’s compliance with international guidelines for safe and secure distribution of pharmaceuticals.
“With the GDP certification, we have now become India’s only carrier with trained staff to manage active pharmaceuticals,” says Ramesh Mamidala, head of cargo, Air India.
“These first shipments of our new airport-to-door service is a step forward in progressively pivoting our cargo offering from ‘airport-to-airport’ to world-class ‘airport-to-door’ services, delivered to the highest standards. It’s not just about getting it there, it’s about getting it there right – with precision,” Mamidala added.
Air India operates over 5,000 weekly flights, covering 45 cities within India and 43 destinations across 31 countries and five continents, providing the widest point-to-point coverage from India to international destinations across ultra-long, long, medium, and short-haul routes.
In 2024-25, Air India moved over 4,000 tonnes of pharma goods globally.
“Going forward, airport-to-door deliveries will be a key part of its cargo business growth, creating more opportunities,” Air India stated.
- First Published:
May 22, 2025, 16:28 IST
