Vienna Airport is offering a new and innovative concept – VIE Cool Handling – to transport temperature sensitive goods in air cargo. Four new customised reefer trailers enabling the improved transport of temperature-sensitive air cargo on the airport apron comprise the core element of this solution.

As a result, goods at the airport can be continuously handled at temperatures ranging from -20°C to +29°C without interrupting the cold chain. These refrigerator trailers were developed by Vienna Airport together with a renowned Austrian automotive engineering company. A secure and unbroken cold chain in air cargo is ensured thanks to VIE Cool Handling and the new cooling trailers, so that the products can reach their destination in the best possible quality.

The focus is on ensuring a secure and reliable cold chain in handling air cargo. Vienna Airport developed a new reefer trailer in collaboration with a reputable Austrian automotive engineering company. It is particularly tailored to customer requirements, thus offering even better quality in the refrigerated transport of air cargo.

Each reefer trailer has a volume of 22 cubic metres and ensures problem-free loading with standard containers, pallets or loose cargo. The integrated refrigeration unit can be operated both electronically or with diesel fuel. In this way, it ensures a secure temperature level during provisioning and transport on the airport apron. As a result, the cold chain is maintained uninterruptedly on the airport apron, even in the case of extreme weather conditions.

All those involved in the supply chain have high demands when it comes to perfect cooling, in light of the fact that the cold chain must always be maintained.

There are numerous international guidelines and standards that have to be complied with. For this reason, the temperature of the refrigerated trailer can be individually adjusted and adapted to each product. The temperature-sensitive products transported via Vienna Airport are mostly food, plants and medical supplies. In accordance with customer requirements, temperatures of between +2°C to +8° C or between +15°C to +25°C are needed.

For the most part, cargo handling and shipment at Vienna Airport is in the hands of the Cargo Handling Service Department.

More than 280,000 tonnes of freight were handled at the Air Cargo Centre in 2016, comprising a year-on-year rise of four per cent.

The Air Cargo Centre is also being expanded, with completion of the project scheduled for the end of 2017.

Thanks to its minimal turnaround time and the direct connection to the highway and the airport apron, Vienna Airport is a high-performance partner for cargo and logistics services providers.

From a strategic perspective, Vienna has successfully positioned itself in the cargo segment, in particular as a gateway between Asia, the Middle East and Eastern Europe.