US airline starts trial for transporting Covid-19 vaccine

Amid the race to develop and distribute a potential Covid-19 vaccine, American Airlines Cargo team began trial flights from Miami to South America in mid-November to prepare for its role in transporting the COVID-19 vaccines, the US carrier said on Monday.

“American’s cargo operation began conducting trial flights, in conjunction with pharmaceutical and cargo partners, from Miami to South America on its Boeing 777-200 aircraft,” the carrier said in a statement.

The flights simulate the conditions required for the vaccine to stress test the thermal packaging and operational handling process that will ensure it remains stable.