In a groundbreaking move for the pharmaceutical supply chain, FedEx has become the first global integrator to achieve the IATA CEIV Pharma Corporate Certification for its air hubs and ramp operations, reinforcing its leadership role in the delivery of life-saving medications and vaccines around the world.
Announced at the 34th CNS Partnership Conference in Miami, this milestone reflects FedEx’s deep commitment to quality and compliance in one of the most demanding and tightly regulated industries — healthcare logistics.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) awarded the certification to the FedEx Global Healthcare Quality Program, validating the company’s rigorous quality management system that spans ground handling at multiple touchpoints in its vast network.
“This certification illustrates FedEx’s unwavering dedication to excellence in pharmaceutical logistics,” said Nick Gennari, president of global healthcare and commercial sales at FedEx. “This pioneering, network-wide approach to quality showcases our commitment to complying with the highest standards in the industry for the transportation and handling of global pharmaceutical products. With over 90 percent of our global healthcare volume moving through facilities that are now CEIV Pharma-certified, we are providing our customers with outstanding quality solutions in the global pharma air space.”
The CEIV Pharma (Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics) certification is the gold standard for ensuring safe, compliant, and temperature-sensitive transport of pharmaceutical goods — an increasingly critical task as global health crises and the rise of biologics reshape the pharma landscape.
“The pharmaceutical industry relies on air transport for its speed and efficiency in ensuring high-value, time-sensitive, temperature-controlled products such as vaccines or medication,” added Frederic Leger, IATA’s senior vice president of commercial products and services. “As global supply chains become more complex, the need for consistent, trusted standards is greater than ever for the safety of the end consumers. We are pleased to see FedEx Global Healthcare certify additional facilities with CEIV Pharma, the industry’s trusted mark of quality and excellence in the handling of pharmaceuticals.”
Previously, FedEx had already secured CEIV Pharma certifications for its Memphis (MEM) and Indianapolis (IND) hubs, along with ramps in San Juan (SJU) and Aguadilla (BQN), Puerto Rico. Now, the company takes a major leap forward with 15 additional facilities receiving certification this May. These include:
- Cologne, Germany (CGN)
- Fort Worth, Texas (AFW)
- Frankfurt, Germany (FRA)
- Greensboro, North Carolina (GSO)
- Guangzhou, China (CAN)
- Liege, Belgium (LGG)
- Los Angeles, California (LAX)
- Miami, Florida (MIA)
- Milan, Italy (MXP)
- Newark, New Jersey (EWR)
- Oakland, California (OAK)
- Osaka, Japan (KIX)
- Paris, France (CDG)
- San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO)
- Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (SDQ)
With this expansion, FedEx is not only raising the bar for pharma logistics providers but also providing peace of mind to manufacturers and patients who rely on timely, reliable delivery of critical therapies and medicines.
