When you see a shipment of life-saving medicine glide through an airport, you probably don’t stop to ask who keeps it cold, who checks the seals or who makes sure the paperwork is perfect. That quiet work sits at the heart of global travel and trade. And this week, Korean Air has once again proven, it can handle it. The airline has recently renewed its certification from the International Air Transport Association’s Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics, known as CEIV Pharma.
Korean Air Reaffirms Commitment to Safe Pharmaceutical Transport
The certification programme is regarded as the world’s leading standard for pharmaceutical transport, ensuring every shipment meets strict requirements for safety, storage and temperature control. From Seoul to Nairobi or Amsterdam, Korean Air has reaffirmed that its systems meet the highest international standards.
The CEIV Pharma certificate isn’t just a label. It’s a full-scale audit of more than 280 standards that cover how medicine is moved, stored and monitored from start to finish. Korean Air first earned this certification in 2019, renewing it in 2022, and this year marks its second recertification.
For 2025, the airline created a dedicated task force to examine every step of its pharmaceutical transport process. It updated manuals, refined procedures and reinforced inspection systems to make sure every detail aligns with current international expectations.
The result is reassurance. Pharmaceutical companies, logistics partners and governments can see that Korean Air’s cargo division is built on reliability and precision. For passengers, it’s another reminder that the systems moving vaccines and critical medicines across the world are in safe hands.
Why Travellers Should Care
You might wonder what this has to do with your next flight from London to Seoul, but it matters more than it seems.
Improved pharmaceutical logistics strengthen public health networks, ensuring medicines reach where they are needed most. Airports and airlines that excel in cold-chain cargo often extend those same standards to broader ground operations, leading to smoother journeys for travellers. And as airlines develop stronger cargo arms, they become more resilient during global disruptions or spikes in demand.
Korean Air’s Wider Strategy
Korean Air’s cargo network is already one of the strongest in the world. It serves 116 cities in 39 countries and operates a fleet that includes advanced Boeing 777F and 747-8F freighters. At its Incheon base, the airline runs a vast cargo terminal and the Cool Cargo Center, a facility built to handle more than 150 tons of temperature-controlled freight every day.
This renewed certification signals the airline’s intention to remain a leader in high-value freight. As global demand for pharmaceuticals, biologics and vaccines continues to rise, airlines with strong credentials in this space are positioned to grow even further.
A Broader View
Korean Air’s recertification fits a wider industry shift. Airlines and airports worldwide are investing heavily in better cold-chain infrastructure, shaped by lessons from the pandemic and the growing need for transparent, resilient supply chains.
At Incheon, Korean Air works closely with partners that also hold CEIV certifications in Pharma, Fresh and Lithium Batteries. Together they set a standard for precision, reliability and trust. In medical logistics, one missed temperature check can have serious consequences. By opening its processes to international scrutiny, Korean Air shows a willingness to be held accountable at every level.
Have you ever thought about the journey your medicines take before reaching you? Share your thoughts in the comments below and subscribe to Travel Radar for more stories exploring the people and systems that keep global aviation moving.
