22nd May 2026:
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has comprehensively certified Lufthansa Cargo according to the CEIV Pharma standard. CEIV stands for “Center of Excellence for Independent Validators” and confirms the highest quality standards for the transportation of time- and temperature-sensitive healthcare products. In addition to airline processes, the certification for the first time also includes IATA’s corporate approach, under which a carrier’s quality management and processes are assessed holistically across a dedicated portion of the network.
The corporate certificate was presented during this year’s World Cargo Symposium in Lima by Brendan Sullivan, IATA Global Head of Cargo, to Oliver von Götz, Vice President Global Fulfillment Management at Lufthansa Cargo.
“Lufthansa Cargo’s renewed certification demonstrates in an impressive way how holistic quality assurance can be implemented in the global air cargo industry,” says Sullivan. “The company proves that standardized processes, centralized governance and local execution go hand in hand across the entire network, setting new benchmarks for the safe transportation of pharmaceutical products.”
“The certification highlights the pharmaceutical expertise we have continuously built up in one of our strategic focus industries,” says von Götz. “Through close collaboration with our customers and the consistent further development of processes, training and infrastructure, we work every day to ensure a reliable and consistent level of quality throughout the entire transportation chain.”
Corporate Approach strengthens global quality management
The corporate approach was specifically developed for globally operating aviation stakeholders and evaluates quality management centrally and across the network rather than limiting assessments to individual stations. Quality requirements such as processes, training and infrastructure are centrally defined, monitored and implemented locally.
In addition to the central pharma hubs in Frankfurt, Munich and Chicago, the certification also includes selected own stations such as Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Mexico City and New York. Numerous independently certified stations operated by ground handling agents (GHAs) complement the network, giving Lufthansa Cargo access to one of the world’s largest pharma networks. The audits took place between November 2025 and March 2026.
Strong foundation for global pharma logistics
Lufthansa Cargo is now looking back on ten consecutive years of CEIV Pharma-certified expertise. Since the initial certification in 2016, quality standards have been continuously enhanced and the global pharma network has been systematically expanded.
Today, Lufthansa Cargo operates a network of more than 350 stations worldwide, including around 230 stations offering “Passive Temp Support” and around 120 stations providing “Active Temp Control.” Standardized processes, specially trained employees and continuous quality monitoring along the transportation chain form the foundation for the safe transport of temperature-sensitive and time-critical pharmaceutical shipments.
The current CEIV Pharma certification is valid through April 2029.
