During the FlyPharma Amsterdam 2025, Air France–KLM Martinair Cargo (AFKLMP Cargo) revealed that its pharmaceutical and healthcare air transport segment continues to grow, and that this was also driving innovation in air cargo solutions. On a global level, pharma demand, projected to reach USD 1.77 trillion in 2025, with an annual 6+% expansion in temperature-controlled, high-value airfreight. Innovation in biologics, personalized medicine, and digital health, alongside broader patient access, are fueling this trend. At the same time, the sector faces ever-shifting trade flows and processes as geopolitical uncertainty and changing regulations require flexibility and adaptation. Certifications such as Good Distribution Practice (GDP) standards compliance or IATA’s CEIV Pharma help to identify those companies capable of delivering the care and quality that is crucial for pharma transport. AFKLMP Cargo, was among the first to become IATA CEIV Pharma certified and the airline group leverages dual hubs at Schiphol and Paris Charles de Gaulle for resilience and flexibility. It has invested in both hubs, equipping them with expanded cool-room capacity, IoT tracking, GDP-compliant processes, and sustainable refrigeration technology, to maintain on-time delivery and integrity. Innovation and sustainability play a key role for the group, too.
At the event, it stated that Amsterdam Airport Schiphol remains a critical global hub for pharma logistics, supported by advanced cold-chain infrastructure and a strong partner network. In 2024, the Netherlands exported USD 38.49 billion in pharma products, showing the sector’s economic importance. It also recalled Schiphol’s key role during the COVID-19 vaccine distribution, and detailed the country’s life sciences competitiveness, today.
GertJan Roelands, SVP Commercial, AFKLMP Cargo, commented: “For Air France KLM Martinair Cargo, growth in the pharmaceutical and healthcare segment has been a strategic priority over the past five years. We have invested significantly in our infrastructure at both hubs and key outstations, introduced new digital solutions, and optimized processes to enhance resilience and transport quality. In addition, we have trained and expanded our specialized pharma teams. These efforts are paying off – this year, our results in the pharmaceutical and healthcare segment reached a new record, and our market share has increased. Pharmaceutical logistics is not just about transportation – it is about trust, responsibility, and resilience. Our mission is to deliver healthcare products safely and reliably, adapting to new challenges while ensuring patients around the world receive the medicines they need.”
