A new dedicated pharmaceutical air cargo corridor between Brussels Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport launched through a formal partnership signed 20 April 2026. Brussels Airport, United Airlines, and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership committed to standardised processes and optimised flows for pharmaceutical and life sciences products crossing the Atlantic.
The memorandum of understanding positions Dulles as the East Coast biopharmaceutical gateway and builds on Brussels Airport’s decades of pharma logistics expertise. United Airlines operates daily flights on the route, primarily carrying pharmaceuticals and medical supplies in belly cargo space.
Belgium and Virginia: Pharma Manufacturing Powerhouses
Belgium ranks fourth globally for pharmaceutical product exports. The country hosts 29 of the world’s top 30 pharma companies. Brussels Airport handled 795,000 tonnes of cargo in 2025, with nearly 17% consisting of pharmaceuticals and life sciences. Brussels pharma export volumes run more than four times the European average.
Virginia’s pharmaceutical sector has experienced rapid growth. Since September 2025, AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly & Company, and Merck announced $12.5 billion in total investments and 1,750 new jobs across the state. The concentration of manufacturing facilities around Dulles mirrors the ecosystem that developed around Brussels Airport over the past decade.
Jason El Koubi, VEDP President and CEO, said the partnership underscores the value of long-term collaboration in building resilient supply chains. International connectivity supports the growth of Virginia’s advanced manufacturing and pharmaceutical industries, expanding Virginia’s reach across Europe and beyond.
Brussels Airport’s Pharma Infrastructure Edge
Brussels Airport became the first airport globally where the entire cargo community achieved CEIV Pharma certification in 2014. The certification validates temperature-controlled handling procedures and cold chain integrity. Brussels Airport offers the largest surface area of temperature-controlled storage capacity in Europe, with nine airside pharmaceutical transporters developed specifically for sensitive cargo.
Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport, emphasised that strong partnerships and well-aligned communities are essential for cargo operations. The memorandum creates a reliable corridor that recognises Brussels Airport’s expertise in pharma logistics and the strength of its ecosystem. Sharing best practices and exchanging knowledge enables more efficient operations and strengthens transatlantic pharma supply chains.
Air Cargo Belgium, established in 2016 to represent the cargo community at Brussels Airport, helped facilitate the corridor development. Nathan Goethals, Project Manager at Air Cargo Belgium, noted that frameworks like this happen because people talk to each other. Virginia’s active role in developing Dulles should benefit local companies significantly.
United Airlines Expands Wide-Body Capacity
United Airlines has operated a passenger hub at Washington Dulles since 1986. The carrier added more than 26,000 tonnes of belly cargo capacity at Dulles since 2022. United plans to add approximately 20 Boeing 787 Dreamliner wide-body aircraft in 2026, increasing transatlantic cargo capacity further.
Chris Busch, Vice President of United Cargo Americas, said cargo contributes significantly to the airline’s revenue and profitability. United is a passenger airline first, but the opportunity to carry cargo on aircraft contributes to network profitability and success.
Manu Jacobs, United’s Managing Director for Specialty Products, described current pharmaceutical shipping patterns as point-to-point across various routes. The new corridor aims to consolidate and standardise flows, reducing complexity for shippers.
A new 435,000 square foot, 14-gate concourse is under construction at Dulles, expected to open later this year. The infrastructure investment supports both passenger and cargo growth projections.
Standardisation Drives Corridor Efficiency
The partnership focuses on aligning procedures between the two airports and establishing standardised processes for pharmaceutical cargo handling. Current pharmaceutical shipments follow multiple routes with varying handling standards. The corridor will streamline logistics and reduce transit times for temperature-sensitive products.
Dimitri Bettoni, Brussels Airport Head of Cargo Product & Network Development, noted that developments at Brussels Airport over recent years mirror what’s emerging around Dulles. A growing concentration of pharmaceutical companies established operations in Belgium near Brussels Airport, creating an ecosystem similar to what’s developing in Virginia.
The goal is mutual growth, Bettoni explained. Stronger connections and collaboration between airports generate greater demand and capacity, benefiting both partners. The expanded air cargo capabilities are expected to generate $138 million in increased pharmaceutical industry revenue across Virginia.
Industry Perspective: Regional Pharma Hubs Compete for Cargo
The Brussels-Dulles corridor reflects broader competition among regional pharma hubs for high-value cargo flows. Brussels Airport’s first-mover advantage with CEIV certification and temperature-controlled infrastructure gave it a decade-long lead in Europe. Other airports have since developed similar capabilities, but Brussels maintains the largest concentration of pharma-handling capacity and expertise.
Virginia’s strategy positions Dulles to capture pharmaceutical cargo currently flowing through other East Coast gateways. The state’s manufacturing investment strategy links production facilities directly to dedicated air cargo infrastructure. This integrated approach reduces supply chain complexity and transit times for temperature-sensitive products.
For freight forwarders, quoting complex pharmaceutical routes requires understanding temperature requirements, handling certifications, and transit time constraints. Dedicated corridors with standardised procedures reduce variables and increase reliability for time-critical shipments.
The memorandum signals that airports and economic development agencies recognise air cargo infrastructure as a competitive advantage for attracting pharmaceutical manufacturing investment. Expect more regions to develop similar public-private partnerships linking manufacturing clusters to certified cargo handling facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CEIV Pharma certification?
CEIV Pharma is a certification programme run by IATA that validates temperature-controlled handling procedures and cold chain integrity for pharmaceutical cargo. Brussels Airport became the first airport globally where the entire cargo community achieved this certification in 2014, establishing standards for sensitive pharmaceutical product handling.
Why did Virginia invest in pharmaceutical air cargo infrastructure?
Virginia attracted $12.5 billion in biopharmaceutical manufacturing investments since September 2025 from companies including AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, and Merck. These facilities require reliable air cargo capacity for exporting finished products and importing raw materials. The Brussels-Dulles corridor provides dedicated pharmaceutical logistics infrastructure to support manufacturing operations.
How does the corridor benefit pharmaceutical shippers?
The corridor establishes standardised handling procedures between Brussels and Dulles, reducing supply chain complexity for temperature-sensitive products. Shippers gain access to certified handling facilities at both endpoints, dedicated cargo capacity on United’s daily flights, and reduced transit times through streamlined processes. The partnership is expected to generate $138 million in increased pharmaceutical industry revenue across Virginia.
What aircraft will United Airlines use for the corridor?
United currently operates daily flights between Brussels and Dulles primarily carrying pharmaceuticals and medical supplies in belly cargo space. The airline plans to add approximately 20 Boeing 787 Dreamliner wide-body aircraft in 2026, increasing transatlantic cargo capacity. United has added more than 26,000 tonnes of belly cargo capacity at Dulles since 2022.
How does Brussels Airport compare to other European pharma hubs?
Brussels Airport offers the largest surface area of temperature-controlled storage capacity in Europe and was the first airport globally to achieve full community CEIV Pharma certification. Nearly 17% of total cargo volume at Brussels consists of pharmaceuticals and life sciences, with export volumes more than four times the European average. The airport serves 29 of the world’s top 30 pharmaceutical companies with facilities in Belgium.
Complex Routing Demands Modern Tools
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