How Delhi, Hyderabad airports are preparing for transportation of Covid vaccine

As a Covid vaccine will soon become a reality in India, GMR Hyderabad air cargo and Delhi Airport’s air cargo are set to play a pivotal role in the distribution of vaccines through state-of-the-art time and temperature-sensitive distribution system. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 4 announced that a Covid vaccine will likely be ready in few weeks, and after the approval of scientists, public vaccination will begin on large scale. As per the Delhi airport, it has two cargo terminals with world-class infrastructure that provides a GDP (Good Distribution Practice)-certified temperature-controlled facility for handling temperature-sensitive cargo. Delhi airport authorities said that besides the cool chamber, it also has "cool dollies" at the airside that ensure an unbroken cool chain during temperature-sensitive cargo movement between terminal and aircraft. The Delhi airport's QR code-based e-Gate Pass facility will provide an automated process for paper documentation and reduce human interface, thereby making the fast movement of imported vaccine deliveries. Notably, in the recent past, the Delhi airport had acted as a hub to distribute millions of PPE kits across the country. Meanwhile, GMR Hyderabad Air Cargo (GHAC), located at the centre of one of the vaccine production regions in the country, is also a key stakeholder in the global vaccine logistics with facilities such as modern temperature-sensitive pharma and vaccine storage and processing zones.