Aerospace

Cathay Pacific awarded IATA CEIV Pharma Certification

Cathay Pacific has become the first airline in Hong Kong to be awarded IATA CEIV
Pharma Certification, a globally-recognised pharmaceutical product handling
accreditation.

The certification underlines the carrier’s capabilities in the treatment and
transportation of high-value, time-sensitive and temperature-controlled
pharmaceutical products with speed, consistency and efficiency. In harness with aviation industry stakeholders and regulators, IATA created the Centre of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) with the aim of helping
organizations involved in the air cargo supply chain achieve pharmaceutical handling
excellence.

CEIV Pharma Certification addresses the industry’s needs for safety, security,
compliance and efficiency in the transportation of pharmaceutical products. It seeks
to minimise product loss attributed to handling and environmental factors during
transport. The certification encompasses, and in some cases exceeds, existing pharmaceutical
standards and guidelines such as the European Union’s Good Distribution Practice
and the World Health Organization (Annex 5) Good Distribution Practices for
Pharmaceutical Products.

Cathay Pacific Director Commercial and Cargo Ronald Lam said: “It is a great honour
to have been awarded IATA CEIV Pharma Certification, which recognizes our
commitment to our pharmaceutical customers. Cathay Pacific Cargo adheres to the
highest operating standards and this certification highlights our capabilities in
handling these precious, time-sensitive and often life-saving shipments.”
Cathay Pacific is one of the world’s biggest international air cargo carriers and, in
addition to operating a dedicated freighter fleet to 46 destinations, manages cargo
capacity on passenger flights operated by both Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon.
The state-of-the-art Cathay Pacific Cargo Terminal at Hong Kong International
Airport offers a broad spectrum of logistical solutions for the airfreight industry.
Combining advanced technology with streamlined work flows to set new service

Aerospace

Boeing’s Aurora Flight Sciences Expands Columbus Plant by 50,000 Sqft

Credit:Aurora Flight Sciences

Aurora Flight Sciences, a subsidiary of Boeing, has launched a significant expansion of its manufacturing facility near the Golden Triangle Regional Airport in Columbus, Mississippi.

This ambitious project will add 50,000 square feet of new space, renovate 40,000 square feet of the existing facility, and introduce advanced automation equipment, robotics, and non-destructive inspection technologies. mcas boeing enhancements will support the growing demand for Aurora’s aerospace systems business.

Since its establishment, Aurora Mississippi has specialized in the production of advanced composite components and assemblies for both military and commercial aircraft. The company first opened in 2005 at Mississippi State University’s Raspet Flight Research Laboratory in Starkville before relocating to its current site in Columbus two years later.

Initially occupying 21,000 square feet, the facility has since grown to encompass over 120,000 square feet, featuring cutting-edge manufacturing technologies such as automated fiber placement. Aurora’s latest expansion is a strategic investment aimed at increasing production capacity for composite components like boeing titanium used in executive jets and the MQ-25TM Stingray composite skins, a key project for its parent company, Boeing.

Additionally, the facility will produce components for NASA’s X-66 sustainable flight demonstrator aircraft, further diversifying its portfolio. Currently employing around 100 full-time staff in Mississippi, Aurora plans to hire more than 60 additional team members by the end of 2025.

Aurora’s expansion project underscores its commitment to Mississippi’s growing aerospace and advanced manufacturing sector. The company maintains strong partnerships with Mississippi State University (MSU) and East Mississippi Community College (EMCC), contributing to research, higher education, and workforce development in advanced manufacturing.

Additionally, Aurora actively supports local K-12 STEM education through summer camps and collaborates with high school vocational education programs. The expansion and renovation project will be carried out in phases over the next two years, with completion expected by 2026. This development marks a significant milestone in Aurora’s ongoing growth and its role in advancing aerospace manufacturing in Mississippi.