The LATAM group, through its air cargo subsidiaries, concluded a historic Valentine’s season by leading the flower transportation in the region with close to 25,000 tonNEs exported in just 21 days from Colombia and Ecuador due to the festive occasion. This marked a 36% increase compared to the same season in 2023.
Responding to the high demand for flowers triggered by the celebration of Valentine’s Day, LATAM group’s cargo unit significantly increased the frequencies offered from these countries. Consequently, the tons of flowers regularly transported to North America and Europe saw a 36% increase. The total exported corresponds to 575 million flower stems, equivalent to one flower for every inhabitant of the United States, Colombia, Ecuador and France combined.
READ: LATAM Cargo strengthens fleet with third 767 BCF
During Valentine’s season, spanning from January 18 to February 7, the company’s cargo subsidiaries conducted approximately 418 takeoffs from Quito, Bogotá, and Medellín, doubling the regular frequencies from Colombia and Ecuador to deliver this local product to the United States and Europe.
“To face this demanding season, two additional freighters were incorporated to allow us to accompany the growth of our customers and satisfy their need for capacity, achieving a 36% increase in the transportation of flowers compared to the previous year. This achievement was possible thanks to a close collaboration with customers, suppliers and the airport team, as well as the care and infrastructure needed for perishables. Together, a successful season was achieved.” comments Claudio Torres Faini, International Commercial Director of South America at LATAM Cargo Chile.
In preparation for this high season, the LATAM group has made 21 freighter aircraft available thanks to the recent addition to its fleet of two cargo aircraft on a temporary basis. This has given its cargo customers from Colombia and Ecuador added capacity and flexibility in this high demand period. Additionally, significant investments were made in the Miami hub, the primary arrival station for this product, to modernize the cold storage warehouses, currently representing around 9,000m² of available space.
READ: LATAM Cargo increases cherry exports by more than 30%
From Colombia, close to 13,000 tons of flowers, including roses, carnations, and chrysanthemums, were sent from the departments of Antioquia and Cundinamarca in over 220 flights, reflecting a 19% growth compared to Valentine’s Day 2023.
On the Ecuadorian side, the group significantly increased the capacity offered for this season, with over 200 frequencies, allowing them to export nearly 11,500 tons of flowers to the main global markets, almost doubling the amount transported in 2023 for Valentine’s Day season.
