Lufthansa Cargo Supports Global Vaccine Distribution from UNICEF

Lufthansa Cargo and other leading airlines are participating in the humanitarian air freight initiative by UNICEF. This initiative focuses on the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, medicines, medical devices, and other aid supplies to combat the pandemic. The initiative is also intended to have a lasting impact beyond COVID-19.

(Frankfurt) UNICEF recently launched the humanitarian air freight initiative. As part of this significant initiative, more than ten leading airlines have signed an agreement with UNICEF to prioritize the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines, essential medicines, medical devices, and other critical aid supplies to combat the pandemic. The initiative will also serve as a global logistical readiness plan for other humanitarian and health crises in the long term. Lufthansa Cargo is one of the airlines transporting the long-awaited vaccines around the globe, supported by the cargo capacities of available flights from Brussels Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Eurowings, and Lufthansa.

300 Destinations Worldwide

The cargo network covers over 300 destinations worldwide. A large portion of the stations is designed for handling highly sensitive pharmaceuticals, including state-of-the-art pharma hubs and stations in Frankfurt, Munich, and Chicago. Additionally, more than 30 of the global stations are IATA CEIV Pharma certified, making the network one of the largest airline pharma networks in the world. The airline was one of the first to specialize in the transport of medical goods and pharmaceuticals, thus drawing on many years of experience. “Air freight is essential for the fast and reliable intercontinental distribution of highly sensitive medicines. With its flexible freighter network, Lufthansa Cargo not only strengthens international supply routes but also takes responsibility in addressing this pandemic. By supporting the UNICEF initiative, we are also contributing to the United Nations’ sustainability goal ‘Good Health & Wellbeing’, to which we are committed,” explains Peter Gerber, CEO of Lufthansa Cargo.

Safe, Timely, and Efficient Transport

The UNICEF initiative for humanitarian air freight brings together airlines covering routes in over 100 countries to support the COVAX Facility – the global efforts for equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. Based on the preliminary distribution and allocation plan of the COVAX Facility, 145 countries will receive vaccine doses starting in the first half of 2021, which can vaccinate an average of about three percent of their populations – subject to meeting all requirements and final allocation plans. Safe, timely, and efficient transport of life-saving aid supplies is crucial to enabling access to essential supplies for children and families. COVAX deliveries and the subsequent vaccination of frontline workers will support health and social systems in safely resuming these vital services. Photo: © Lufthansa Cargowww.lufthansa-cargo.com      www.unicef.org