SpiceJet to provide logistical support for coronavirus vaccines
Airline SpiceJet announced on Wednesday that it is gearing up to provide logistical support for COVID-19 vaccination through its dedicated freighter division SpiceXpress. The facility has the capability to transport extremely sensitive drugs and vaccines in controlled temperatures ranging from -40°C to 25°C. The specialized service to transport vaccines is called Spice Pharma Pro, the airline said in a release. Here are more details.
'We have been developing cold chain logistics solutions'
"Since the lockdown began, SpiceJet and its cargo arm, SpiceXpress, have worked relentlessly to ensure the transport of vital goods and medical supplies to all corners of India and the world," said Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, SpiceJet. "We have been preparing for the humongous task of transporting medicines, vaccines, blood samples and temperature-sensitive cargo by developing end-to-end cold-chain logistics solutions," he added.
SpiceXpress can fly cargo to both domestic and international destinations
With a dedicated fleet of 17 cargo aircraft, SpiceXpress is capable of providing cargo to both domestic as well as international destinations. Apart from that, the airline also offers other benefits such as a network of warehouses equipped with deep freezers to enable change of cool packs and ground vehicles and containers to help transport sensitive cargo, the company said.
'We have tied up with global leaders'
Singh added that the airline has "tied up with global leaders in cold chain solutions offering active and passive packaging with dedicated equipment to perform seamless cold chain operations." "SpiceXpress is ready for the enormous task of distributing sensitive goods both domestically and internationally including COVID-19 vaccines that require stringent transportation conditions (sic)," he further informed.
SpiceJet transported 85,000 tons of cargo since March
According to reports, SpiceJet has transported 85,000 tons of cargo since the nationwide lockdown began earlier in March. Furthermore, the airline's international cargo network now spans more than 50 international destinations, including the USA, the UK, Germany, France, Russia, Uzbekistan, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, China, Myanmar, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, and Canada, among several others.
