Schiphol to stage FlyPharma conference

September 10, 2025

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is a leading European hub for pharmaceutical air cargo, handling medicines, vaccines, medical devices, and veterinary pharmaceuticals with strict temperature control and rapid customs clearance.
Pharma Gateway Amsterdam (PGA), launched in 2016, unites airlines, forwarders, customs, and regulators under a CEIV Pharma-certified closed chain, ensuring transparency, quality, and traceability in pharma logistics.
Good Distribution Practice (GDP) compliance and widespread CEIV Pharma certification across Schiphol’s community reinforce its reputation for safe, reliable, and high-quality pharma transport.
FlyPharma Amsterdam 2025, hosted by Schiphol, AFKLMP Cargo, and DHL Global Forwarding, will gather global pharma logistics leaders on October 8–9, featuring keynotes, panels, workshops, networking, and exclusive facility tours.
Amsterdam’s central location and strong infrastructure position it as a strategic hub for global pharma logistics, processing 1.49 million tonnes of cargo in 2024 and driving innovation in healthcare supply chains.

Pharmaceuticals and medical equipment are critical to the cargo volume at Schiphol Airport, playing a pivotal role in both global trade and healthcare delivery. The airport’s strategic location and world-class cold chain facilities make it one of Europe’s leading hubs for the transport of life-saving medicines, vaccines and advanced medical devices. In addition to human healthcare products, Schiphol handles veterinary pharmaceuticals, ensuring the safe and timely movement of treatments for livestock, companion animals and wildlife. These shipments require meticulous temperature control, security and rapid customs clearance to preserve product integrity. By facilitating the swift transport of both human and animal health products, Schiphol strengthens supply chains, supports international research and contributes to the well-being of populations worldwide.

A key factor in achieving this certainly was Pharma Gateway Amsterdam, a collaborative initiative that brought together logistics providers, customs, and regulatory authorities to streamline and enhance pharmaceutical cargo handling. Launched in March 2016 as a collaborative initiative led by Air Cargo Netherlands and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Pharma Gateway Amsterdam is a collaborative initiative bringing together logistics providers, airlines, customs, hauliers and regulatory authorities to establish a certified closed-chain for pharmaceutical air cargo. All partners are IATA CEIV Pharma-certified, delivering rigorous quality, transparency and traceability throughout the journey from shipper to consignee

This enduring, commercially neutral model underpins Schiphol’s position as a leading European hub for high-value pharmaceutical traffic. The airport’s adherence to stringent standards such as Good Distribution Practice (GDP) ensures that pharmaceutical products are safely and efficiently stored, transported, and delivered while maintaining their integrity.

Schiphol’s PGA community members’ certification programme for IATA CEIV Pharma programme further underscored its commitment to the highest quality in pharma logistics. This certification ensures that pharmaceutical shipments pass through an environment equipped with temperature-controlled facilities, qualified personnel and robust tracking systems, essential for the sensitive nature of these goods.

FlyPharma Amsterdam 2025

The platform for the pharmaceutical logistics and supply chain industry, FlyPharma, has announced its ninth European conference will take place in Amsterdam from October 8-9, 2025. The FlyPharma Amsterdam 2025 conference will convene industry experts to explore the unique challenges and opportunities facing the region and beyond. In a first for FlyPharma, this year’s event is supported by three host sponsors: Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Air France KLM Martinair Cargo and DHL Global Forwarding.

On January 27, 2025, the official signing ceremony for FlyPharma Amsterdam was held at The KLM Cargo Transport Building in Amsterdam. The following individuals signed on the dotted line to officially launch the 2025 conference: Karl Equi, executive director PMGroup Worldwide Ltd representing FlyPharma Conferences; GertJan Roelands, senior vice president commercial on behalf of Air France KLM Martinair Cargo; Henk Venema, CEO Western Europe DHL Global Forwarding; Eric Dietz, Special Advisor Cargo for Amsterdam Airport Schiphol; Luc Scheidel, Manager of Strategy and Innovation for Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.

FlyPharma Amsterdam 2025 will feature keynote presentations, panel discussions, and interactive workshops and tours of local facilities.

Karl Equi from PMGroup & FlyPharma commented: “We are delighted to bring FlyPharma to Amsterdam in 2025 and look forward to working closely with our host sponsors to deliver another exciting conference diving into the future of pharma logistics and how this will affect patients and healthcare professionals around the world.”

Healthcare logistics

GertJan Roelands, SVP commercial AFKLMP Cargo explains: “The Pharma segment is an important cornerstone of our business. We understand the critical role that reliable and innovative logistics solutions play in ensuring the timely and safe delivery of these often life-saving products to patients worldwide. FlyPharma 2025 in Amsterdam offers an invaluable opportunity to connect with industry leaders, explore advancements in the pharma supply chain, and collaborate on solutions that will shape the future of healthcare logistics. We are proud to support this important event and to showcase Amsterdam as a key global hub for pharma logistics.”

Henk Venema, CEO Western Europe DHL Global Forwarding stated: “DHL has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with the FlyPharma Conferences, and we are excited to join as host sponsor for the first time. FlyPharma Amsterdam promises to be an engaging and insightful event, and we are thrilled to be a part of it. We look forward to connecting with everyone in October.”

Eric Dietz, special advisor cargo for Amsterdam Airport Schiphol said: “We look forward to welcoming delegates from the pharmaceutical and logistics sectors to Schiphol and showcasing our cutting-edge pharma handling facilities.”

Join industry leaders from pharmaceutical manufactures and their supply chain, as well as key representatives from international regulatory bodies, at this year’s event in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Stay ahead of industry trends, network with thought leaders, and explore the future of pharma logistics.

Exclusive tour

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, one of the Host Sponsors of FlyPharma Amsterdam 2025, will offer delegates an exclusive tour of its advanced pharmaceutical handling facilities, showcasing its commitment to excellence in logistics.

There will be plenty of networking opportunities, including a Pre-Conference Welcome Reception the night before the conference, and an evening Networking Event following Day 1 of conference sessions. Delegates have the opportunity to meet and connect with senior pharma and cargo professionals thus gaining new industry contacts and building on existing professional relationships.

Amsterdam’s central European location, excellent connectivity and extraordinary infrastructure links make it an attractive choice for hosting FlyPharma. The city’s strong emphasis on healthcare research and innovation, its welcoming and diverse environment ensures an inspiring backdrop for networking and collaboration.

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol processed 1.49 million tonnes of cargo in 2024

James Graham

James Graham is an award-winning transport media journalist with a long background in the commercial freight sector, including commercial aviation and the aviation supply chain. He was the initial Air Cargo Week journalist and retuned later for a stint as editor. He continues his association as editor of the monthly supplements. He has reported for the newspaper from global locations as well as the UK.