Frontier Scientific Solutions has launched the first dedicated life sciences air route between Europe and the United States

• Frontier Scientific Solutions has launched the first dedicated life sciences air corridor between Shannon, Ireland, and Wilmington, North Carolina, using Boeing 767 freighters to ensure GDP-compliant and temperature-controlled transportation of pharmaceuticals and medical devices.
• The service operates six weekly flights with facilities supporting the free trade zone at both airports, reducing handovers, simplifying customs procedures, and protecting the safety of cargo through direct runway access and real-time temperature monitoring.
• The initiative strengthens transatlantic pharmaceutical logistics, creates 350 jobs across both hubs, and enhances global supply chain resilience by reducing risk and improving reliability for vital medical shipments.

Frontier Scientific Solutions has unveiled the world’s first airline schedule dedicated exclusively to life sciences, connecting Shannon, Ireland, and Wilmington, North Carolina. The initiative creates a temperature-controlled corridor designed to reduce transit times, minimize handling, and protect the safety of critical medicines and medical devices.

The new service operates wide-body Boeing 767 freighters on a frequency of three weekly flights in each direction, ensuring dedicated capacity without general cargo mixing. Flights depart from Wilmington on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, arriving in Shannon later the same day, while flights from Shannon to Wilmington depart on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

The corridor complies with stringent Good Distribution Practice (GDP) regulations, with integrated facilities designed to maintain cGMP compliance throughout the transportation process. By reducing deliveries and incorporating direct runway access, the route seeks to mitigate temperatures and enhance predictability for clinical and commercial shipments. The Free Trade Zone (FTZ) at both airports simplifies customs procedures, which is a notable advantage in cross-border pharmaceutical logistics.

Ireland and North Carolina were selected for their strategic locations within global life sciences supply chains. Shannon is a hub for European pharmaceutical exports, supported by air and sea connections and the advantages of a long-standing free trade area. Wilmington offers direct runway access, proximity to the Port of Wilmington, and a logistical link to the U.S. East Coast and Midwest markets. Together, the locations aim to provide faster, safer and more efficient door-to-door transportation compared to traditional multi-stop routes.

Frontier expects to create approximately 350 jobs over the next three to five years in Shannon and Wilmington, including roles in temperature-controlled operations, quality assurance, engineering and customer support. The company’s integrated air and ground network combines real-time in-flight temperature monitoring with dedicated customer service teams, reducing risk for high-value shipments such as active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and finished medicines.

Leandro Moreira, Head of Transport at Frontier, said: “Drawing on years of experience in the aviation and life sciences sectors, we have long recognized the need for a reliable, efficient, GDPR-compliant air transport corridor designed exclusively for life sciences. At Frontier Scientific Solutions, we are now working to make this concept a reality.”

“This dedicated, temperature-controlled route between the U.S. and Europe strengthens the global life sciences supply chain by reducing touchpoints, reducing risk and ensuring product safety – ultimately supporting our mission of protecting patient safety and saving lives.”

Local airport authorities stressed the wider economic impacts. Ray O’Driscoll, interim CEO of Shannon Airport Group, noted that the service “represents an important milestone for our region and reinforces Shannon’s role as a strategic gateway to the pharmaceutical sector.” Jeff Burke, director of Wilmington International Airport, highlighted the operational benefits, citing the combination of direct runway access and free trade zone capabilities as a competitive advantage in pharmaceutical transportation.

“The dedicated life sciences pathway to the US strengthens the transatlantic bridge for biopharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients and supports the creation of high-quality jobs across the region.”

“Wilmington is proud to be a major hub for Frontier in the United States,” said Jeff Burke, director of Wilmington International Airport. “Direct access to the runway combined with the capabilities of the free trade zone creates an advantage in the pharmaceutical transportation industry, while also promoting life sciences growth and regional economic development.”