Pharmaceutical companies around the world have been in a race against time to develop a Covid-19 vaccine. Moving just as fast is Changi Airport as it prepares for an equally important task – preparing the air cargo community for the effective delivery of the vaccine into Singapore, and to other countries in the region.

With the strict handling conditions needed to effectively transport the vaccines, the uncertain vaccine volumes, coupled with the current air cargo capacity crunch, Changi Journeys finds out how Changi Airport and the air cargo community are rising to the challenge to ensure the safe, timely and effective transportation and distribution of vaccines when they are ready.

New joint taskforce to identify risks and challenges

Changi Airport Group and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore recently established the Changi Ready Taskforce. Comprising key air cargo industry members such as ground handlers, airlines, logistics partners, and relevant government agencies, the taskforce aims to enhance the air cargo community’s readiness for  Covid-19 vaccines distribution.

The Changi Ready Taskforce is part of the airport’s bigger strategy to establish Singapore as a trusted air pharmaceutical hub in the region, through deeper community collaboration. Today, Changi is the first and largest IATA Center of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) Pharma certified community in the Asia Pacific. The CEIV Pharma certification is the assurance to industry that Changi's air cargo stakeholders are capable of effective, safe and reliable handling of temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical products.

Global collaboration for Covid-19 vaccine distribution

Changi Airport and SATS are also part of a global taskforce aimed at addressing global Covid-19 vaccines supply chain challenges. Called Project Sunrays it is a joint initiative between The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) and Pharma.Aero (a cross-industry collaboration for pharma air transportation). The taskforce aims to establish useful guidelines for the air cargo industry to ensure the proper handling, storage, and transportation of the expected high volume of Covid-19 vaccines.

Upgrading of cold chain infrastructure

A cold chain, or a temperature-controlled supply chain, is needed in the transportation of vaccines. The process ensures that the life-saving cargo remains at a certain controlled temperature throughout the delivery to its final destination.

dnata and SATS’ Cool dollies are used to transport temperature-sensitive cargo such as vaccines between aircraft and their temperature-controlled warehouses.

Changi Airport has two ground handlers – dnata and SATS. Both have existing cold rooms with adjustable temperatures. Earlier this year, dnata and SATS both rolled out cool dollies. These temperature-controlled equipment allow for temperature-sensitive goods to be delivered in an unbroken airport cold chain, between aircraft and temperature-controlled warehouses. 

Singapore’s national carrier, Singapore Airlines, has launched its THRUCOOL service in 2018. THRUCOOL services accord pharma shipments with quality and priority uplift.  

Strengthening our air cargo connectivity

The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in a drastic decline in passenger aircraft movements – which means a fall in belly-hold capacity (cargo can be carried in the belly-hold of passenger aircraft).

YTO Cargo Airlines – the newest airline to join Changi Airport, launched thrice weekly services between Singapore and China.

To address this challenge, there have been an increase in charters and scheduled cargo flights since March, tripling our weekly cargo flights, which includes freighter operations and passenger aircraft carrying cargo only (PACC) flights. Between March and November this year, more than 50 passenger airlines have started to operate passenger freighter flights into Singapore, connecting Changi to about 80 cargo city links.