8,000 jumbo jets will be needed to deliver vaccine globally – in ‘biggest transport challenge ever’ – says IATA
Shipping a Covid-19 vaccine around the world will be the “largest transport challenge ever” according to the airline industry.
The equivalent of 8,000 Boeing 747’2 will be needed according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Whilst there is no Covid-19 vaccine just yet, the IATA is working with airlines, airports, global health bodies and drug firms on a global airlift plan.
The plan assumes only one dose per person is needed.
“Safely delivering Covid-19 vaccines will be the mission of the century for the global air cargo industry. But it won’t happen without careful advance planning. And the time for that is now,” said IATA’s chief executive Alexandre de Juniac.
At present, airlines have been focussing on delivering cargo during the severe downturn in passenger lights. But shipping vaccines is far more complex.
Not all planes are able to deliver vaccines as they need a typical temperature range between 2 and 8C for transporting drugs. Some vaccines may require frozen temperatures which would exclude more aircraft.
“We know the procedures well. What we need to do is scale them up to the magnitude that will be required,” added Glyn Hughes, the industry body’s head of cargo.
Flights to certain parts of the world, including some areas of South East Asia, will be critical as they lack vaccine-production capabilities, he added.
‘Almost military precision’
Distributing a vaccine across Africa is “impossible” right now IATA says because of the lack of cargo capacity, size of the region and the complexities of border crossings.
Transportation will need “almost military precision” and will require cool facilities across a network of locations where the vaccine will be stored.
About 140 vaccines are in early development, and around two dozen are now being tested on people in clinical trials.
One vaccine is being developed by the University of Oxford that is already in an advanced stage of testing.
IATA has urged governments to begin planning now to ensure they are prepared when vaccines are approved and available for distribution.
Along with making sure they are handled and transported at controlled temperatures, security is another issue.
“Vaccines will be highly valuable commodities. Arrangements must be in place to keep ensure that shipments remain secure from tampering and theft,” added IATA.
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