Swissport expands pharmaceutical network to 24 certified Pharma Centers
- barboraarendasova
- Dec 23, 2025
- 2 min read
Swissport, the world’s leading aviation services provider, has added Düsseldorf to its global network of certified pharma centers. The facility has earned the IATA CEIV Pharma certification, bringing the company’s total number of certified pharma warehouses to 24 globally and reinforcing Swissport’s commitment to safe, compliant, and reliable pharmaceutical logistics worldwide.
This milestone comes as Swissport accelerates investment in temperature-controlled infrastructure across key life science markets. In 2025, the company has already expanded its network with dedicated pharma facilities in Manchester, New York JFK, and Shanghai.
“The primary driver for our cold chain reinforcement is the fundamental shift in pharmaceutical manufacturing toward biologics and temperature-sensitive therapies,” Dirk Goovaerts, CEO Continental Europe, Middle East, Africa, India & Global Cargo Chair, Swissport, explains. “This evolution requires a specialized handling infrastructure at a global scale. Facilities like Düsseldorf, together with our certified pharma network and digital monitoring systems, enable us to deliver safe, compliant, and reliable logistics at scale to meet growing market demand.”
Swissport operates 65 pharma-capable warehouses and 24 warehouses certified for pharmaceutical logistics under industry standards including the Air Transport Association's CEIV Pharma, the British Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), and Good Distribution Practice (GDP).
In 2024, Swissport handled 5 million tons of freight, with pharmaceutical shipments accounting for around 10% of volumes – a segment growing rapidly in both scale and handling complexity.
The expansion builds on Swissport's 'Cool and Connect' air cargo facility launched in Basel in 2024, which set the blueprint for the company's pharma-dedicated logistics. The model is being replicated across strategic life science hubs, with a special focus on 2-8°C cool container infrastructure.
CERTIFICATION PROGRAMME EXPANDS ACROSS KEY MARKETS
Swissport’s certified facilities integrate digital monitoring systems for real-time temperature tracking, proactive alerts, and full traceability. Recent certification milestones span Europe, the Americas, and Africa, including hubs in Madrid, London Heathrow, Dublin, Nairobi, Montréal, Toronto, Miami, and Basel. These certifications, combined with digital innovation and strategic investments, position Swissport as a trusted partner for pharmaceutical logistics worldwide.
Swissport partners with airports, manufacturers, freight forwarders, and ULD service providers, to co-develop industry-wide risk elimination and transparency efforts. This phased approach ensures Swissport maintains the highest standards while expanding its pharmaceutical logistics capabilities to meet growing market demand.
DIGITAL SOLUTIONS THAT ENSURE PRODUCT INTEGRITY
Swissport's pharmaceutical handling integrates comprehensive digital monitoring systems designed to maintain product integrity throughout the logistics chain. The technology platform provides real-time temperature monitoring, proactive alerting for deviations, and complete traceability across all handling touchpoints.
“Digital solutions are fundamental to maintaining pharmaceutical product integrity,” Goovaerts explains. “We ensure visibility and traceability by monitoring all control points throughout the handling process, recording interface transactions between stakeholders, and ensuring a complete chain of custody documentation. The system alerts us to any temperature issues in real-time, allowing us to quickly intervene and prevent product loss or damage.”
This digital infrastructure is supported by Swissport's comprehensive global training program dedicated to pharmaceutical handling, ensuring all employees understand their responsibility in safeguarding life-saving medicines.
Image source: swissport.com
