Menzies Aviation-Siginon Aviation, a strategic partnership providing cargo handling services in Kenya, has announced that it has been awarded the IATA CEIV Pharma accreditation for its recently expanded facility in Nairobi, Kenya. This marks the seventh Menzies Aviation location to be awarded the prestigious certification, and its first in the Middle East, Africa and Asia (MEAA).

The three-year accreditation is awarded to companies that demonstrate the high standards set by the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics (CEIV Pharma). It underscores Menzies Aviation-Siginon Aviation’s best-in-class approach to handling high-value, time-sensitive, and temperature-controlled pharmaceutical products.

NBO joins Sydney (SYD), Melbourne (MEL), London Heathrow (LHR) and Budapest (BUD) and Amsterdam (AMS) airports, now all IATA CEIV Pharma accredited.

The accreditation follows a significant investment in the cargo facilities at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi. The 21,000sqm cargo facility has undergone a significant expansion growing from 15,000sqm. This includes increased cold room space from 90 to 250 aircraft pallet positions alongside new docking stations for refrigerated trucks, increasing Menzies’ capacity to transport medical and pharmaceutical products. A new yard area has also been completed to improve traffic flow management, while additional security cameras and lighting have been installed in a move to enhance security.

Charles Wyley, EVP Middle East, Africa and Asia, Menzies Aviation, said: “We’re immensely proud that our expanded warehouse at NBO has become the first cargo facility in the MEAA region to receive IATA’s coveted CEIV Pharma accreditation. NBO joins a growing list of Menzies cargo locations which have now been awarded this sought-after recognition. With pharmaceutical shipment volumes continuing to increase across the world, we are committed to effectively meeting demand while upholding the very highest cargo handling standards that this accreditation requires.”