• Investment in temperature-controlled airfreight infrastructure across the Americas is growing, driven by expansion in pharmaceuticals, biologics, and personalised therapies, with certified facilities, trained staff, and real-time monitoring ensuring product integrity.
• Carriers and handlers are implementing digital tracking, contingency planning, and centralised control towers to manage smaller, more frequent shipments, reduce tarmac exposure, and maintain regulatory compliance across diverse markets.
• Looking ahead, growth in personalised medicine and advanced therapies will increase demand for specialised cold-chain networks, predictive analytics, and AI-driven route optimisation to enhance end-to-end visibility, operational resilience, and efficiency.

Investment in temperature-controlled airfreight and handling facilities across the Americas is increasing as pharmaceutical producers expand in Puerto Rico, the United States, and emerging Latin American markets. Carriers and handlers are adding certified storage capacity, trained staff, and real-time monitoring systems to support biologics, vaccines, and advanced therapies that require strict temperature controls.

Growth in cell and gene therapies, as well as personalised medicines, is driving smaller and more frequent shipments that require tighter monitoring and shorter handling timelines. Providers are focusing on end-to-end visibility and contingency planning as regulators and shippers place greater emphasis on product integrity.

Eric Mathieu, Managing Director of Customer Experience at American Airlines Cargo, said Puerto Rico is becoming a central production location. “Puerto Rico is a leading force in global pharmaceutical manufacturing and is home to production operations for almost all the world’s major companies in the sector,” he said. “Investment in CEIV certification, cold-chain infrastructure, and highly trained staff gives shippers the confidence that we can deliver the reliable service they require.”

Infrastructure expansion and regulatory alignment

Pharmaceutical manufacturers and supply chain partners are increasing validated storage capacity and upgrading handling protocols to reduce exposure during loading, unloading, and airport transfer. The focus is on minimising time on the tarmac, ensuring controlled storage temperatures, and improving coordination between airlines, forwarders, and ground handlers.

In Latin America, governments and industry are continuing to review cold-chain capabilities to support biologics exports and imports. “In Latin America, there are continuous conversations between governments and international organisations to evaluate and invest in a cold-chain infrastructure that minimises the risk of temperature deviations during transit,” said Mathieu.

Differences between good distribution practice regulations in the United States, Canada, and Latin American markets continue to require operational flexibility. “Regulatory frameworks share common principles but differ in scope, enforcement, and harmonisation levels,” Mathieu said.

Digital monitoring, contingency planning and sustainability pressures

Carriers are introducing real-time temperature monitoring, automated alerts, and central control towers to provide intervention during irregular operations. These measures support rerouting, re-icing, and container replacement where necessary to avoid temperature excursions.

American Airlines Cargo has developed a strategy to improve visibility and temperature assurance throughout the shipment process. “Strong, real-time coordination between our teams and our customers is key,” said Mathieu.

“Our 24/7 control tower provides monitoring and support for irregular operations and any other potential delays to the shipment journey.”

“This ensures transparency and swift action when needed, and our robust contingency measures are in place to safeguard the cargo and maintain trust,” he said.

Sustainability considerations are influencing packaging and transport choices, although pharmaceutical integrity remains the priority. Active monitoring enables the use of more efficient packaging systems and optimisation of container use.

Investment is also driven by the shift towards smaller batch therapies. Advanced biologics and cell and gene therapies frequently require temperatures between 2–8°C or as low as -70°C, and are often moved in clinical-trial-sized quantities. Providers are investing in capacity to support these shipments with shorter lead times and increased responsiveness.

Looking to 2030

The growth of personalised medicine is expected to reshape capacity planning and logistics models. Smaller doses, rapid deployment, and stringent temperature requirements will increase the importance of certified facilities and real-time network coordination across the Americas.

Stakeholders expect growth in both multinational and emerging biotech activity in Latin America, alongside continued investment in certified airport infrastructure in Puerto Rico and major US gateways. The key pressure point remains ensuring end-to-end temperature control while maintaining operational resilience across varied regulatory environments.

Mathieu said precision medicine will demand specialised supply chains. “The shift from a one-size-fits-all treatment model to a more personalised approach aims to enhance efficiency,” he said. “Predictive analytics and the use of AI for enhanced route optimisation and greater end-to-end visibility are expected to evolve further, creating new opportunities for innovation and investment.”