To meet the needs of its region - home to a host of pharmaceutical companies -, Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport, managed by VINCI Airports, has opted to make pharmaceutical cargo a key component of its business. Working hand in hand with manufacturers, airlines and specialist operators to handle temperature-sensitive cargo led to the creation of specific facilities, including an extensive cool storage area.

This strategy entered a new phase in February when Lyon Aéroport obtained IATA CEIV Pharma certification (Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics). The certification guarantees the handling process in place for pharmaceutical products, and notably the ability to maintain constant temperatures in the airport’s cool storage units in order to meet the high standards imposed by pharmaceutical laboratories. It also confirms that the airport addresses the needs of freight forwarders and airlines handling the transportation of these highly specific goods.

As a result, Lyon airport's storage facility is one of just four airport centres of excellence worldwide to have been awarded CEIV Pharma certification by IATA.

Tanguy Bertolus, CEO of Lyon Aéroport said:

“We are proud to have obtained CEIV certification and to be able to play our part in guaranteeing the safe handling of the healthcare products, which pass through Lyon airport. At VINCI Airports, we make all efforts to ensure our airports address the needs of their region. Here in Lyon, we help support the growth of key industries such as pharmaceutical manufacturing.”

Frederic Leger, Senior Vice President for Commercial Products and Services at IATA stated :

“Lyon and its region are amongst the most advanced pharmaceutical hubs in the world. The CEIV Pharma certification obtained by Lyon Aéroport for its storage facility is an important tool for meeting the needs of pharmaceutical companies, as well as transporters, for both standardisation and transparency throughout the pharmaceutical supply chain. This official recognition will bolster Lyon’s reputation as a hub, and we are pleased to congratulate Lyon Aéroport on their success”.