Air cargo flower volumes increase to ensure a plentiful supply for Valentine’s Day. On what is traditionally the most romantic day of the year, the airfreight industry has flown thousands of tons of flowers to Europe.
Lufthansa Cargo put on special flights to bring 1,000 tons of roses to Germany for the special day. Its freighters were filled with millions of red roses, flown from warmer climates to Frankfurt, to be available for the 14th February.
The amount transported weighs around the same as 1,000 small cars. The logistical process involved in transporting up to 90 tons of roses on a single flight is actually more environmentally-friendly than growing the roses in Germany.
From 30 January to the 9 February, Air France-KLM-Martinair Cargo flew more than 800 tons of flowers from Kenya and Andean countries to Europe, in addition to its regular flower transport. IAG Cargo has released figures showing that flower volumes from Colombia and Ecuador to Europe are up 25% compared with last year.
Global head of commercial at IAG Cargo David Shepherd said: “While flower shipments have been relatively stable during the economic downturn, the initial data for our LATAM cargo flows show an increase on last year.
“Flowers are one of the most resilient products we fly, and since the economic downturn we have actually seen flower volumes grow, not decrease.”
Other high traffic dates for flower shipments include St George’s Day, honouring Barcelona’s patron saint on 23 April, and the day of the Virgin of the Pillar on 12 October.
Extracts taken Lloyd’s Loading List written by Lucy Smith