Securing dry ice supplies in the desert
Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of the Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Aviation Group, has strengthened its ability to transport Covid-19 vaccines around the world after receiving UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) approval to expand dry ice carrying capabilities across its B787 and B777 fleet.
The GCAA approval ensures the UAE national carrier’s main Boeing fleet can now carry up to five times more dry ice per flight, enabling it to provide enhanced frozen and deep-frozen conditions required for various vaccine types, including the Pfizer, Moderna and Sputnik V vaccines which currently need to be stored between -70°C to -18°C.
Dry ice – the solid form of carbon dioxide – is strictly controlled under the applicable dangerous goods regulations as it becomes CO2 gas upon evaporation. (ah)