By Maria Kalamatas | July 25, 2025
Section: International / Air Freight & Cold Chain Logistics
Dubai, July 25 — Airports in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar are scaling up cargo operations to handle a sharp rise in pharmaceutical shipments, as medical supply exports to Europe, Africa, and Asia hit seasonal peaks.
“Over the past two weeks, pharma volumes have risen by nearly 30 percent,” said Khalid Mansour, cargo operations director at a Dubai-based airline. “Our cold chain facilities are running 24/7 to maintain transit times and temperature integrity.”
Specialized handling and infrastructure strain
The surge, fueled by vaccine distributions and time-sensitive medical supplies, is testing the limits of regional infrastructure. Airlines are deploying additional temperature-controlled containers and adding dedicated freighter flights to maintain service reliability.
“Pharma cargo can’t wait — every hour counts,” Mansour explained. “We’re prioritizing these shipments even if it means rescheduling general freight.”
Forwarders adapt to premium rates
With demand at record levels, freight rates for temperature-sensitive cargo have climbed by 12 to 15 percent since mid-July. Forwarders are advising clients to secure bookings early and budget for surcharges.
