Etihad Cargo has begun using cool dollies at its Abu Dhabi hub to protect pharmaceutical and perishable shipments when being transported around the airport.
The cool dollies, launched in partnership with Etihad Airport Services Cargo, offer a closed, temperature-controlled system for the movement of cargo between the carrier’s aircraft and cool chain warehouse.
They can be set to a range of temperatures anywhere between 2 and 25 degrees Celsius, and an in-built alarm system sends alerts if the temperature fluctuates beyond the set parameters.
The refrigeration cell is made with a single-piece fibreglass panel and reinforced wall, roof and floor panels.
Thomas Schürmann, head of cargo operations & delivery at Etihad Cargo, said: “Etihad Cargo is committed to the safe, reliable and robust transportation of temperature-sensitive cargo via its IATA CEIV Pharma-certified PharmaLife and IATA CEIV Fresh-certified products .
“Part of this commitment is ensuring cargo is transported between the aircraft and cool chain facilities as fast as possible and mitigating the risks associated with outdoor and environmental conditions during the cargo’s journey.
“Etihad Cargo and Etihad Airport Services Cargo have partnered to introduce dedicated cool dollies at the carrier’s Abu Dhabi Airport hub to minimise the time that temperature-sensitive cargo is exposed to external factors, such as high temperatures.”
The deployment of cool dollies is the latest in a series of investments made by the carrier since launching its PharmaLife service.
This includes the use of thermal covers and the opening of the carrier’s dedicated pharma hub.
The 3,300 sq m facility offers Road Feeder Service loading docks with levellers, insulation and floor work for faster loading with stricter temperature controls, increased storage space, additional build-up and breakdown zones and upgraded cool chain facilities for pharma handling and storage operations.
Last year, the carrier reported a 37% year-on-year increase in pharma volumes.