Lufthansa Cargo supports UNICEF in global vaccine distribution

Lufthansa Cargo is among a number of leading airlines supporting the launch of UNICEF's Humanitarian Airfreight Initiative which focuses on the prioritization of the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines, essential medicines, medical devices and other critical supplies to respond to the pandemic.

In a statement, the German cargo carrier said the Initiative will also act as “a global logistics preparedness mechanism for other humanitarian and health crises over the longer term.”

It added: “Lufthansa Cargo is one of the airlines transporting the long awaited vaccines across the globe - strengthened by the loading capacities of available flights of Brussels Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Eurowings and Lufthansa.”

Lufthansa Cargo's network covers over 300 destinations worldwide and a majority of its stations are able to handle highly sensitive pharmaceuticals, including the state of the art Pharma Hubs and Station in Frankfurt, Munich and Chicago.

“Furthermore, over 30 of the worldwide stations are IATA CEIV Pharma-certified, which makes it one of the world's largest airline pharmaceutical networks. The carrier was among the first airlines to specialize in the transport of medical goods and pharmaceuticals and can therefore draw on many years of experience.”

The UNICEF Humanitarian Airfreight Initiative brings together airlines covering routes to over 100 countries, in support of the COVAX Facility  - the global effort aimed at equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.

The other carriers supporting the Initiative are: AirBridgeCargo, Air France/KLM, Astral Aviation, Brussels Airlines, Cargolux, Cathay Pacific, Emirates Skycargo, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, IAG Cargo,  Korean Air, Qatar Airways, Saudia, Singapore Airlines and United Airlines.

Based on the COVAX Facility’s indicative distribution and first round allocation plan, 145 countries will receive doses to immunize around 3% of their population, on average, starting in the first half of 2021, subject to all requirements being met and final allocation plans.

“Safe, timely and efficient transportation of life-saving supplies is critical to supporting access to essential services for children and families. COVAX deliveries and the subsequent vaccination of frontline workers will support health and social care systems to safely resume these critical services, Lufthansa Cargo's statement added.