Airfreight as a service attracts a high price. However, for products that warrant the costs of being transported via airfreight, this mode of transport is quick, supplies a high quality of service and can provide much needed compliance assistance.
Life sciences products with a steady demand are better suited to be transported by ocean. However, David Bang, Global Head of DHL Temperature Management Solutions mentions that it is in line with the swift supply of new products where airfreight comes into its own.
"New products are constantly being introduced to new markets, which requires speed and flexibility based on smaller batch moves. The need for speed to the market and being able to accommodate fluctuating market demands will continue to rise no matter what."
He continued: "Speaking of the second advantage "regulatory compliance", over the last few years, the airfreight industry as a whole has stepped up to the plate to relieve some of the recent regulatory pressure that the life sciences & healthcare industry is facing, for example the EU GDP guidelines." In line with this focus on healthcare product handling on the rise, some freight forwarders have been aiming to obtain accreditations in this area from health authorities.
Products that are more temperature and time sensitive like biologics and biotechnologies are often more suited to airfreight rather than sea.
With this in mind, Pharma Logistics IQ has created this guide of elements to consider when optimising the use of airfreight within temperature controlled logistics.