Korean Air gets ready to deliver Covid-19 vaccine to the world

Korean Air, with one of the world’s largest cargo operations, has launched a Covid-19 vaccine transport task force to prepare for the safe and swift transport of a vaccine should it become available. Transporting vaccines is a challenging process requiring specialised storage facilities and equipment. Vaccines generally need to be stored at low temperatures between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius. Korean Air’s cargo terminal at Incheon International Airport has 1,292sqm of cold storage that can accommodate 100 tons of freight. In addition, to expand its operations, the airline plans to use the 2,533sqm Cool Cargo Center next to Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 when it opens next year. The airline also has considerable experience delivering specialised and emergency freight during the pandemic, including medical equipment and personal protection equipment (PPE). In April, Korean Air was recognised for its swift delivery of half a million Covid-19 test kits to Baltimore-Washington International Airport in Maryland, US and has been certified by IATA’s Center of Excellence for Independent Validators on Pharmaceutical Handling (CEIV Pharma). IATA recently said that 8,000 Boeing 747s would be needed to transport one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine for every person in the world. Air transport will be crucial and in high demand for the vaccine’s safe and timely distribution. “Korean Air’s task force is reviewing all aspects concerning vaccine transport, and will develop a strong system and infrastructure for its safe and swift distribution when one is ready to be delivered,” said EUM Jae Dong, senior vice-president and head of the cargo business division at Korean Air.