Vienna airport signs pact with KN on pharma handling

July 05, 2019: Vienna International Airport has signed a partnership agreement with Kuehne Nagel (KN) on pharma freight handling. The quick and highly specialised handling of temperature-sensitive pharma products directly from aircraft to the roadways or vice versa is the core competence of the new 1,600 square metre Vienna Pharma Handling Center (VPHC).

Vienna International Airport the only airport in Central Europe to offer a complete end-to-end solution for pharma products from one single source, featuring a seamless cool chain, quick handling processes and short turnaround times between air and road transport.

Kuehne Nagel is now utilising this highly specialised service as "preferred partner" for the handling of its pharma shipments. Within the framework of the partnership, the global logistics provider benefits from its own, exclusive handling area, allowing for even greater flexibility.

"Quick and efficient cargo handling is a key success factor in international freight transport. Thanks to the new pharma handling center, 23 countries can now be reached within a day and a half, and 15 countries can even be supplied within 24 hours of travel time via the pharma hub. We are delighted that Kuehne Nagel relies on our flexibility and operational excellence", stated Julian Jager, member of the management board of Flughafen Wien AG.

Heiko Schuhmacher, regional airfreight manager at Kuehne Nagel, said, "This partnership between Kuehne Nagel and the Vienna International Airport will further enhance service levels for our customers from the pharma & healthcare industry in Austria and the neighbouring countries. By using Kuehne Nagel's KN PharmaChain customers gain access to industry-specific, GxP compliant transport and logistics solutions with the same high-quality standards worldwide."

Das Vienna Pharma Handling Center was opened in December 2018. It is part of the Air Cargo Center and directly accessible from both, land and airside areas. The state-of-the-art facility provides two separate temperature-controlled areas: A 1,600 square metre Controlled Room Temperature (CRT) area for the handling of pharmaceuticals at 15 - 25° C and an additional 153 square metre for the storage, build-up and break down of 2° - 8° C shipments. The VPHC exclusively handles temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical products. Vienna Airport has invested about %u20AC1.8 million in the new pharma centre.