Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) in San Juan, Puerto Rico, has been recognized by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as a hub for certified pharmaceutical handling. This achievement is the result of collaborative efforts by the Puerto Rico Life Sciences Air Cargo Community to enhance cold chain operations in the region. It has worked closely with SJU and the Department of Economic Development and Commerce of Puerto Rico (DEDC) to support logistics providers in obtaining the Center of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) Pharma certification. That initiative has included training programs for smaller organizations and government subsidies to cover accreditation costs. As a result of these efforts, seven members of the Community have successfully achieved CEIV Pharma certification: American Airlines, Prime Air Corp, ETH Cargo, Expeditors, César Castillo, Isla Frio Refrigeration, and Ground Motive Dependable Airline Services (GMD). IATA’s CEIV Pharma accreditation is a recognized global standard for pharmaceutical transportation and is awarded following a stringent audit of facilities, processes and people involved in pharma transport. With additional CEIV Pharma certifications in progress, the Community and its partners are committed to further advancing the standard of pharmaceutical operations across the island, reinforcing the airport’s position as a leading hub for life sciences and pharmaceutical logistics in the Americas.
Jorge Hernandez, Chief Executive Officer of Aerostar Airport Holdings (SJU manager and operator), said: “I would like to extend my deepest gratitude for the recognition awarded to SJU and for the hard work and dedication of our entire team. This achievement underscores our collective commitment to advancing Puerto Rico’s reliable and efficient transportation of pharma products.”
Peter Cerda, IATA’s Regional Vice President The Americas, applauded: “Congratulations to SJU Airport for playing an instrumental role in helping its airport community partners achieve IATA’s CEIV Pharma certification. This milestone not only reflects a commitment to excellence but also strengthens the integrity of pharmaceutical transport through the airport’s cargo supply chain. With this certification, SJU and its cold chain partners set a benchmark for reliability and compliance in line with CEIV standards, demonstrating their dedication to safeguarding the quality of life-saving medicines and establishing themselves as trusted partners in pharma logistics.”
