Cathay Pacific has become the first airline in Hong Kong to be awarded International Air Transport Association ("IATA") CEIV Pharma Certification – a globally-recognised pharmaceutical product handling accreditation. Underlining the airline's expertise in handling these high-value, time-sensitive and temperature-controlled cargoes, the certification was granted by the Centre of Excellence for Independent Validators, a body set by IATA in conjunction with aviation industry stakeholders and regulators to address issues such as safety, security, compliance and efficiency, and to minimise product loss due to handling and environmental factors. Two wholly owned subsidiaries, Cathay Pacific Services Limited, which operates the Cathay Pacific Cargo Terminal, and Hong Kong Airport Services Limited ("HAS"), which provides ground handling services at Hong Kong International Airport, have also been awarded CEIV Pharma Certification.