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Air Cargo Sees Surge In Flower Shipments As Valentine’S Day Approaches

by Anna

As Valentine’s Day draws near, flower shipments have surged, with air cargo services playing a key role in bringing blooms to loved ones across the globe. Recent weeks have seen a spike in demand as people invest in bouquets to express their affection, and the industry is stepping up to meet the challenge.

Over the past fortnight, Challenge Handling at Liège Airport has managed over 30 flights carrying more than 3,000 tons of fresh flowers. The company’s specialized facilities, including a cool area for post-flight processing, and an expedited customs clearance system, have been essential in meeting the Valentine’s rush. Additionally, Challenge Group’s sister airline, Challenge, has expanded its services to Nairobi, further enhancing capacity for flower transport.

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Or Zak, Challenge Group’s Chief Commercial Officer, noted: “With Nairobi as our first African destination, we are committed to meeting customer needs and providing comprehensive logistics solutions tailored for perishable goods, backed by nearly five decades of expertise.”

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Avianca Cargo has made significant investments to streamline flower processing, handling 18,000 tons during the Valentine’s period. The airline doubled its capacity between Colombia, Ecuador, and the US, operating around 300 cargo flights to transport these blooms. These improvements, including digitalization and workforce expansion, have reduced processing times by 57% in Miami and allowed Avianca to lead in flower shipments to Los Angeles.

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Miami International Airport (MIA) is experiencing a flower import boom, with more than 1,500 tons arriving daily between January and February. This increase represents a 3% rise over last year’s record-breaking figures. With 91% of all flower imports by air arriving at MIA, the airport is on track to handle over 90,000 tons of flowers worth $400 million during this Valentine’s rush.

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In Europe, Swissport has expanded its ‘Flower Corridor’ to Amsterdam and Liège, ensuring that flowers from Kenya are transported with optimal care. With investments in temperature-controlled facilities and technology, Swissport aims to extend the shelf life of flowers by up to a week. This season, Swissport expects to handle over 250 million flowers, with a 50% increase in freighter flights from Kenya to meet Valentine’s Day demand.

As the Valentine’s season blooms, the air cargo industry continues to adapt and invest in infrastructure to meet the growing global demand for fresh flowers.

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