CAL Group first to earn CEIV for air and ground

Tel-Aviv-based CAL Group recently became the first logistics group to earn IATA’s Center of Excellence for Independent Validators, Pharmaceutical Logistics (CEIV-Pharma) certification for its airline, ground handling and roadfeeder operations.

The CEIV-Pharma certification applies to the group’s hub at Liège Airport, including facilities, equipment, operations and staff. CAL’s road-feeder services are provided through a partnership with Jan de Rijk, which is already CEIV-certified for pharmaceuticals. In order to obtain the certification, the group’s cool-chain process and facilities were verified that they met compliance with international standards, and that personnel involved were trained to handle pharma products.

“The global pharmaceutical logistics market is valued at over US$64 billion a year, and new regulations and technology have made it essential to define a standard for pharma transportation, in compliance with international regulations. CEIV will define a single standard across the entire pharma logistics chain,” said Eyal Zagagi, CEO of the CAL Group.

The CEIV-Pharma program was developed as a new initiative “to help foster air cargo’s competitiveness in this growing segment,” said Glyn Hughes, IATA’s head of cargo. “CAL demonstrated an extremely high level of expertise and was very much ready for the validation.”

In September, the Israeli carrier began round-trip service from Atlanta to Liège, citing interest in Atlanta’s pharmaceuticals business. The route has two weekly rotations from Atlanta to Liège and back to Atlanta. Zagagi said CAL’s fleet of noseloading 747-400Fs – along with a team that specializes in dangerous goods, pharma, live animals and oversize/overweight goods – is needed in Atlanta. ATC Aviation, a local GSA, will help CAL service the Atlanta area.

In addition to the CEIV cert, CAL is already a holder of the Qualified Envirotainer and EQUiP Qualified C-Safe provider accreditations, giving it another leg-up in the competitive pharma and cool chain market.