Astral Aviation and Etihad Cargo sign Pharma Service Level Agreement (SLA)

06 Oct Astral Aviation and Etihad Cargo sign Pharma Service Level Agreement (SLA)

Astral Aviation and Etihad Cargo sign Pharma Service Level Agreement (SLA)

SLA ensures that both Parties are Fully Compliant with Latest GDP and IATA Pharma Regulations and Standards

Nairobi, Kenya – Astral Aviation Limited and Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Aviation Group, have deepened their cooperation into Africa with the signing of a Service Legal Agreement (SLA) to provide reliable and cost-effective airfreight solutions across the continent.

Astral Aviation operates a fleet of 14 freighters out of its Nairobi and Johannesburg hub, which Etihad Cargo will leverage on for increased vaccine distribution across Africa. Both carriers are members of The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) and Pharma.Aero, whose joint Project Sunrays initiative offers cross-industry collaboration for pharma shippers managing complex vaccine distribution logistics.

The SLA, a first Pharma Interline agreement, ensures both parties are fully compliant with latest GDP and IATA Pharma regulations and standards, and guarantees processes, from booking to handling of such sensitive goods, are standardised and performed to the highest quality.

The agreement defined the steps and responsibilities of each party to ease the transfer between the two airlines, boost transparency and making sure that pharma specific documentation, labelling and messaging are used and shared under a precise order and form.

“In addition to significantly expanding Etihad Cargo’s reach across Africa, this inter-airline agreement ensures complete adherence to the specific requirements of pharmaceutical product transportation. Customers can be reassured that Etihad Cargo partners will expertly maintain cool chain integrity,” explained Martin Drew, Senior Vice President Sales and Cargo, Etihad Aviation Group.

Astral Aviation and Etihad Cargo have committed to shipping and storing pharmaceuticals with passive packaging between the main temperature ranges known as COL (+2 to +8°C), CRT (+15 to +25°C) and ERT (+2 to +25 °C).

“We are honoured to partner with Etihad Cargo and participate in the critical distribution of COVID-19 vaccines to and within Africa. The equitable access and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in Africa will be enhanced with the help of partnerships and collaborations within the aviation sector, such as the one enacted between Etihad Cargo and Astral, which will offer one-stop solution for the vaccines to and within Africa,” said Sanjeev Gadhia, CEO of Astral Aviation.

This Agreement will provide a timely boost in both the Nairobi and Abu Dhabi hubs positioning as a global logistics hub capable of facilitating vaccine distribution.