Cargo Talk Feb2021 (2) - Flipbook - Page 25
SUPPLYCHAIN TALK
“COVID-19 had minimal impact on the
supply chain of pharmaceutical cargo
at BLR Airport, right from the outbreak
of the pandemic. During the pandemic,
air cargo volumes have witnessed
a faster recovery, as compared to
passenger traffic. The faster recovery
in cargo volumes is largely due to the
transport of essential supplies, especially
pharmaceutical and medical equipment.
The movement of COVID-19 vaccines
will give the cargo industry a boost as
this potentially life-saving drug is in high
demand across the globe. Air cargo will
be the only mode of transport that would
be able to meet such immediate delivery
timelines. As stated by IATA, a large
amount of air freighter space would be
required for vaccine delivery. However,
easing of restrictions on international
passenger operations holds the key
to longer-term cargo growth. This will
also allow for greater belly capacity
and the free flow of pharmaceutical
products globally.”
Kalpana Lohumi
ir cargo has historically been
the optimal choice for high
value and sensitive goods
like pharmaceuticals and this pandemic
has further magnified the importance
of this mode of transportation. With
the arrival of vaccine, airfreight is again
making an important contribution
in fighting this pandemic by playing
a vital role in the COVID-19 vaccine
global supply chain. However, the
pandemic has also highlighted the need
of updating the pharmaceutical supply
chain. When the pandemic first started,
people were having trouble in getting
the product access and there were
A
airfreight capacity issues because with
the sudden restriction on passenger
flying, the industry has lost the belly
capacity too. But pharmaceutical
industry has overcame the situation in
such a short span and did relatively well,
maintaining drugs on pharmacy shelves.
Let’s hear from the industry experts on
the impact of the virus on air cargo
supply chain of pharmaceutical and
logistics requirements.
Sharing the airport scenario, Satyaki
Raghunath, Chief Strategy &
Development
Officer,
Bengaluru
International Airport (BIAL), says,
Explaining the impact on supply chain
due to the uncertain restrictions,
Naveen Rao, Founder & Chairman,
Sentro Group, shares, “Lockdowns,
uncertain restrictions, and different
stands of the governments across the
globe severely impacted the supply
chains. Gaining clarity on various
restrictions imposed in various parts of
the world is a task as these are locally
interpreted and had different meanings
altogether. Due to this ever-changing
scenario and suspension of regular
flight operations, air cargo industry has
faced disruption. In order to mitigate
the effect on supply chain, many airlines
started operating air charter services.
Today many airlines have converted
passenger aircraft as PTC (passenger to
cargo) with or without seats. However,
the pharmaceutical industry serves as
an essential commodity. Even in tough
times like this pandemic, governments
are responsible for providing their
nationals with adequate quantity and
quality of medicine, which pushes all
to adapt to new challenges and take
it forward. This adaptability to the
challenges was the key to success for
all the supply chain participants.” In
his view, airports, airport authorities,
warehouses, airlines, agents, shippers,
Satyaki Raghunath
Chief Strategy & Development Officer,
Bengaluru International Airport (BIAL) and
India Cargo Award Winner 2019
Easing of restrictions
on international passenger
operations holds the
key to longer-term cargo
growth. This will also
allow for greater belly
capacity and the free
flow of pharmaceutical
products globally
Requisites
Experts estimate that
somewhere between 12 billion and
15 billion COVID-19 vaccines are
needed globally.
FEBRUARY - 2021
CARGOTALK 25
