Virgin Atlantic Cargo approves new container for pharma and life science shipments

Virgin Atlantic Cargo has approved the new CSafe RAP container for pharma and life science shipments for use across its international network, making the carrier the first UK airline to do so.

The CSafe RAP container has been approved by both the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The unit uses CSafe’s active Temperature Management System (TMS) which utilises compressor driven cooling technology and a radiant heating system (depending on the ambient temperature), in conjunction with the company’s ThermoCor vacuum insulation panel technology. This enables the unit to maintain a strict payload temperature setting throughout transportation, regardless of the actual ambient condition. The CSafe RAP has a temperature range that is user selectable from +4°C to +25°C, with operational capabilities achieving desired set-points even at extreme ambient temperatures (-30°C to +54°C).

It is the only FAA and EASA approved active compressor-driven container permitted in both the upper deck and lower deck cargo sections of commercial aircraft.

Under the terms of its Master Lease Agreement with CSafe, Virgin is now accepting bookings for the new RAP container. Virgin already offers customers the opportunity to lease the CSafe RKN container as well as Envirotainer’s RKN t2, RAP t2, RKN e1 and RAP e2 units for temperature-controlled pharma products.

“We are delighted to be the first UK airline to be able to offer the CSafe RAP to customers, extending the choice of temperature-controlled active and heating and cooling containers Virgin can supply,” said Darren Sherlock, manager — Products and Partnerships at Virgin Atlantic Cargo. “With our pharma volumes growing by more than 20% in 2017 and coming just weeks after the opening of our new Pharma Zone at London Heathrow, this latest enhancement to our service offering underlines our commitment to be a leading provider of pharma transportation by offering our customers the widest choice of solutions, supported by the highest levels of customer service.”

“CSafe is very excited to add Virgin Atlantic to the roster of airlines that have gained flight approval for our newly developed CSafe RAP active container,” added Brad Jennings, VP of Global Marketing and Partner Management at CSafe Global. “The combination of Virgin Atlantic’s expansive network and the superior quality and performance of the CSafe RAP offers a powerful solution for the transportation of temperature-sensitive products around the world.”