By Maria Kalamatas | August 12, 2025
Dubai — Freight operations at major Gulf airports have entered an intense phase this week, as a wave of pharmaceutical shipments streams in from global production hubs. Airlines and logistics firms describe an influx of temperature-sensitive goods — from vaccines to diagnostic kits — requiring precision handling and rapid clearance.
At Dubai International, supervisors say cold storage facilities have been operating at near-capacity since Monday. Forklifts weave between pallets of insulated containers, while customs officers fast-track clearances for priority medical goods. “We have zero margin for error,” said a senior operations manager. “The integrity of these shipments depends on moving them through the chain without a single temperature breach.”
To manage the load, carriers have pulled wide-body freighters onto the busiest routes and converted under-used passenger jets for cargo runs. Regional rivals in Doha and Riyadh are also stepping up, adding dedicated handling corridors that cut dwell times for urgent consignments.
The current rush is a test of infrastructure that Gulf states have spent years developing. Investments in advanced cold rooms, high-capacity tarmacs, and round-the-clock handling crews are now giving the region an edge over traditional European and Asian gateways.
Industry analysts predict the momentum will hold through the final quarter, as pharmaceutical demand overlaps with seasonal flows of perishable foods and high-value electronics — two other sectors where speed and reliability dictate market share.
