Singapore Airlines (SIA) has attained the International Air Transport Association (IATA) global re-certification for its handling of perishable products via its Singapore hub. The re-certification is valid for three years, starting from 1 February 2024.

This certification is based on IATA’s Perishable Cargo Regulations, which combine regulatory and operational inputs from government and industry experts. It validates SIA’s continuous efforts to meet the air freight industry’s highest standards for food safety, and prevent food waste along the supply chain.

With this, SIA’s customers can be assured that their time- and temperature-sensitive cargo will be transported with speed and reliability via SIA’s THRUFRESH service. THRUFRESH features dedicated cold chain services such as priority uplift and handling, quick ramp transfers and cold room facilities to safeguard the integrity of perishables, as well as dry ice top-up at Changi Airport for transhipments.

Partnering leading terminal operators and ground handlers in the world, SIA established quality corridors within SIA’s cargo network in 2021 to ensure the product integrity of perishable shipments at each step of the journey, in accordance with IATA standards. Nine SIA stations – Amsterdam, Barcelona, Brussels, Frankfurt, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong SAR, Hyderabad, Singapore, and Zurich – are currently certified under the quality corridor network. 

Marvin Tan, Senior Vice President Cargo, Singapore Airlines, said: “At Singapore Airlines, we are committed to delivering the highest level of service to our cargo customers. The IATA CEIV Fresh re-certification is an affirmation of the stringent safety and quality standards that we adhere to when transporting perishable cargo.”

Nick Careen, Senior Vice President Operations, Safety and Security, IATA, said: “We congratulate Singapore Airlines on achieving the IATA CEIV Fresh re-certification. Coupled with their investment in products and services to mitigate perishable product damage and waste, it is a testament of the airline’s commitment to serving their customers by consistently delivering fresh, high-quality products worldwide. This high standard in transporting perishables and commitment to upholding and surpassing international standards sets the airline as among the leaders in the industry.”

In 2021, SIA became the first airline in South East Asia to receive the IATA Centre of Excellence for Independent Validators in Perishable Logistics (CEIV Fresh) certification. It remains the only airline in the region with this certification.