TNT Express launches a five day per week air cargo service linking Moscow and its main European hub Liege, via Warsaw. The new route, operated by a B737-300 providing 16t of capacity, will secure and speed up the expedition of time-critical shipments to and from Russia. Examples include automotive parts, clinical supplies and biological samples, such as blood and human tissues.

The strategic air connection with Moscow will particularly strengthen TNT’s service to the healthcare industry. In 2009, the Russian pharmaceutical market grew by 18% in value to $17 billion and may increase by a further 11% in 2010, according to market research firm DSM Group. Russia is becoming an
increasingly bigger market for pharmaceutical companies, due to the size of the population, the government’s drug reimbursement program, and the increase in drug consumption. Temperature-sensitive biological samples already account for a large proportion of TNT’s shipments out of Russia.

“TNT is moving more and more clinical samples out of Russia. Using our own scheduled air service will simplify and guarantee the uplift of these time-sensitive shipments.” said Mirko Mueller, TNT’s Global Industry Director Healthcare. “This gives us 100% control over the cold chain from origin to destination.”

TNT has expanded its presence in the Russian market in recent years with new domestic and international services, including dedicated services for the clinical trials market. These comprise a clinical trials co-ordination centre desk in Moscow, special vehicles to collect and deliver temperature-controlled shipments, and expedited customs clearance. In March 2010, TNT started connecting
Western Europe with Yekaterinburg, the largest city in the Urals (1,667km east of Moscow) with 1.3 million inhabitants. TNT’s European Road Network also connects Moscow, St Petersburg and Nizhniy Novgorod. TNT has 800 employees, 13 depots and 35 offices in Russia.