FedEx receives CEIV Pharma Certification for Costa Rican operations

Home
»
Stories
»
2025
»
May

GLOBAL INDUSTRY NEWS

Qatar Airways In Talks To Buy 20% Of Virgin Australia - Airline Ratings

Global Industry News

FedEx receives CEIV Pharma Certification for Costa Rican operations

Policy

Richard W. Smith President and Chief Executive Officer Airline and International | FedEx

By Sky Industry News

May 19, 2025

FedEx has announced that its Operations Center located in Parque Logístico El Quijote, Costa Rica, has received the CEIV Pharma Certification from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). This certification is a recognition of FedEx's commitment to pharmaceutical logistics excellence.

The CEIV Pharma Certification, established by IATA in 2014, acknowledges quality standards and regulatory requirements for the safe air transport of high-value and temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals. Through extensive training and operational analysis, this certification confirms that facilities, equipment, operations, and personnel meet rigorous industry standards.

"Receiving this certification demonstrates our commitment to the highest quality standards and control to maintain the integrity of pharmaceuticals during transport," said Basil Khalil, Vice President of Operations for FedEx in the Caribbean and Central America. "Whether it's temperature control, near real-time monitoring, or support with regulations and customs processes, FedEx is ready to support pharmaceutical companies in Costa Rica."

Get the Newsletter

Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News

By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

According to data from Costa Rica's Foreign Trade Promotion Agency (PROCOMER), medications have been exported to over 50 markets in the past five years. The Costa Rican Investment Promotion Agency (CINDE) notes that 11 multinational pharmaceutical companies operate in the country.

FedEx's Operations Center in Costa Rica is strategically located 4.2 kilometers from Juan Santamaría International Airport. It features two temperature-controlled rooms: one for frozen products (-10 to -20 degrees Celsius) and another for refrigerated products (2 to 8 degrees Celsius), dedicated exclusively to pharmaceutical cargo management. The local operation connects directly with FedEx's Memphis Hub five times a week using a Boeing 767 aircraft.

In terms of shipment visibility, Costa Rica was the second market in Latin America where FedEx incorporated two innovative solutions into its operations: FedEx Surround provides near real-time data on shipment location; SenseAware uses sensor-based devices to record conditions like location and temperature during transit. This predictive capability allows FedEx and its customers to make informed decisions quickly.

In addition to its operations in Costa Rica, another 14 FedEx facilities worldwide are receiving CEIV certification in May 2025. Previously, FedEx obtained CEIV Pharma certification for its Memphis (MEM) and Indianapolis (IND) Hubs in 2024 along with ramps at San Juan (SJU) and Aguadilla (BQN), Puerto Rico.