Budget airline SpiceJet signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with GMR Hyderabad Air Cargo (GHAC), the cargo division of GMR Air Cargo & Aerospace Engineering (GACAEL), for extending a seamless service to all vaccine manufacturers in the region.
SpiceXpress–the cargo arm of SpiceJet hopes to provide a solution for vaccine delivery, while also building a sustainable cold chain network. SpiceXpress aims to provide the first-mile pick up and last-mile delivery to carry Covid–19 vaccines across the domestic and international markets within a temperature-controlled environment.
GHAC will provide available required space on priority for SpiceJet’s vaccine shipments besides training its personnel along with the airline for specific customer requirements. SpiceJet on its part will keep a dedicated fleet of freighters including wide-body aircraft at Hyderabad airport to handle all domestic and international consignments.
Hyderabad as the key hub for vaccines
Hyderabad is expected to be a key hub in the manufacturing and distribution of the vaccine both domestically as well as globally. The city is already in the midst of key progress for India’s Covid-19 vaccine development programme.
The association between SpiceJet and GHAC will aid the manufacturers in the region by ensuring seamless delivery of the vaccine.
Ajay Singh, CMD, SpiceJet said, “Delivering Covid-19 vaccines safely not just within India but across the globe is a task we are fully committed to. With strong partners and our capability to transport extremely sensitive drugs and vaccines in controlled temperatures of up to -40°c, we feel that we are fully prepared to assist in the biggest vaccination drive in the history of mankind.”
Key Partnerships
SpiceJet has recently entered into partnership with Om Logistics and signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Snowman Logistics.
SpiceJet stated that the partnership with Om Logistics aims to provide a quick, seamless solution for COVID-19 vaccine movement as well as build a robust cold chain network both domestically and internationally.
The airline said that its dedicated freighters, operated under the SpiceXpress cargo division, are capable of transporting sensitive drugs and vaccines in controlled temperatures, both domestically as well as internationally.
SpiceXpress recently introduced a new specialised service called Spice Pharma Pro, which has the capability to transport extremely sensitive drugs, vaccines, blood samples and medicines in controlled temperatures ranging from -40°c to +25°c.
The airline also extends other benefits such as a network of warehouses equipped with deep freezers to enable change of cool packs and ground vehicles and containers to help transport sensitive cargo.
SpiceJet has operated 11,800 cargo flights since the lockdown began and carried around 93,500 tonnes of cargo.
