Brussels Airport Pioneers Air Cargo Protocol for Life-Saving Cell Therapies

Brussels Airport (BRU) is leading a major initiative in pharmaceutical logistics. This effort focuses on the air transport sensitive medical material. The airport is testing shipments of human cell and blood material on passenger aircraft. This material is crucial for creating personalized treatments, known as precision therapies. These therapies include innovative treatments for cancer and rare diseases.

The Precision Therapy Logistics Gateway

The program is officially called the Precision Therapy Logistics Gateway (PTLG) project. It launched in early 2025 as a collaboration. Partners include Pharma.Aero, Air Cargo Belgium, and the University of Antwerp. The PTLG project aims to analyze the logistics chain. It seeks to identify risks and ensure safe, quick transport worldwide.

Developing a Global Standard

Currently, no internationally recognized protocol exists for this type of air cargo. Brussels Airport and its partners aim to develop this first global standard. This will help standardize the handling of time and temperature-sensitive goods. Such standardization is critical for the future of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMP).

Test Shipments and Logistics

Since November 2025, the project has executed 10 test shipments. These shipments successfully traveled from BRU to Dallas, Texas (DFW). The destination is BioLabs Pegasus Park, a biotech cluster. Another 50 test shipments are scheduled in the coming weeks.

Precision therapies are highly sensitive materials. They require strict control over temperature and lead time. BRU utilizes its extensive cold-chain expertise for this process. The airport has approximately 45,000 m² of temperature-controlled logistics space. Shipments are handled through customs and stored in a dedicated cold zone. They are then transported as cargo onboard passenger flights.

Industry Impact and Future Outlook

The use of passenger aircraft for these relatively small consignments is key. This logistics model means the cellular material travels, not the patient. This significantly increases global accessibility to these life-saving treatments.

Industry bodies like IATA have long pushed for better pharma standards. BRU's efforts align with the need for a certified supply chain. The project partners, including Pharma.Aero, expect results in the first half of 2026. Following the test phase, the airport will explore creating a dedicated logistics center. This specialized center would further support the transport of these innovative treatments. Developing a robust, internationally recognized protocol is a major step. It will solidify the role of Brussels Airport precision therapies in global healthcare logistics.

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