Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) has become the first airport community in the world to receive the IATA CEIV Fresh Certification.
The gateway has been recognised by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as a partner airport of the perishables-focused certification programme. IATA launched CEIV Fresh at its World Cargo Symposium in Singapore this week.
The accreditation has been pioneered at HKIA, with Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) working closely with members of the airport community including Hactl, Cathay Pacific Services Limited and Cathay Pacific.
The programme is aiming to improve the handling and the transport of perishable products to ensure food safety, as well as reduce food wastage and loss along the supply chain.
In addition to HKIA being recognised as the partner Airport, HACTL and CPSL have also achieved IATA CEIV Fresh certification, testifying to their IATA-compliant standards in handling perishable products, in respect of both facilities and operations.
The two cargo terminal operators offer cold rooms set at tailored temperatures for various kinds of perishable cargo, such as live seafood, fruits and vegetables, and frozen meat.
Their staff training and handling process have also been assessed and certified for their compliance with the global industry standards. Cathay Pacific, the home-based carrier at HKIA, is expected to complete validation of the certification later this year.
IATA director general and chief executive officer, Alexandre de Juniac, presented the Partner Airport recogniton to AA CEO, Fred Lam, as well as IATA CEIV Fresh Certification to representatives from HACTL and CPSL at IATA’s World Cargo Symposium in Singapore this week. (Main picture)
“Perishable goods is a growing market for air cargo. Ensuring that these delicate and short shelf-life products reach the customer unspoiled with minimal waste and loss is essential. Shippers will have assurance that CEIV Fresh certified companies are operating to the highest quality and standards in the transport of perishable products,” said De Juniac.
Lam said: “WHKIA is the world’s busiest cargo airport since 2010. With the new certification, HKIA is well-placed to capture the increasing growth opportunities in the market for fresh and perishable goods.”
In 2018, HKIA handled over 380,000 tonnes of perishables, accounting for about eight per cent of the total cargo volume of HKIA, marking a year-on-year increase of 12 per cent from 2017.
To support the continuous growth, the AA will ensure high-quality specialty facilities and services for perishable air cargo. The AA is providing additional cool dollies to make a total of over 30 for use by the whole airport community. The AA is also building apron shelters to protect the perishables from ambient weather elements.
