For sure, it’s not the only airport to handle flowers during the Valentine’s Day season, however, given CargoLand by LGG’s geographical location and its total cargo focus (including all the mod-cons needed for temperature-controlled, commodity-specific handling), it offers a bouquet of interesting statistics around this emotion-heavy commodity. For example: “Valentine’s Day represents one of the most demanding logistics peaks of the year for the global flower industry,” the release states – one that CargoLand by LGG is well-prepared for. “Each year, hundreds of tons of fresh flowers arrive within a matter of days, requiring flawless coordination, strict temperature control and absolute reliability. At this scale, speed, temperature control and coordination make all the difference. Built around a cargo-first, 24/7 operational model, CargoLand by LGG has established itself as a leading European gateway for time-critical perishables, with flowers accounting for nearly 20% of total annual cargo volumes. This year, 13,850 tons of flowers were handled during the four-week Valentine’s campaign, supported by 45 additional charter flights on top of regular scheduled operations, demonstrating the platform’s scalability during extreme peaks.”
Preparation is crucial, and that begins far ahead of the actual event, with all cargo community players (ground handlers, freight forwarders, trucking companies, airlines and public authorities) coming together to plan resources and procedures – particularly with regard to any new regulatory requirements supported by the AFSCA-FAVV (Belgian Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain). The optimum mix of people and real-time digital communication is what ensures smooth processes in the end, and the safe and swift transfer of millions of flowers coming in from Kenya, Ecuador, Colombia, Ethiopia, and other Latin American gateways such as Quito and Bogota. Frédéric Brun, Head of Commercial Cargo & Logistics at CargoLand by LGG explained: “Flowers are far more than a commodity; they carry value, emotion and trust. Every shipment deserves absolute care. We thank AFSCA-FAVV and the customs authorities for their unwavering 24/7 support during this peak. Through anticipation, close cooperation and robust cold-chain and digital processes, we ensure speed, reliability and peace of mind for growers, exporters and buyers worldwide on Valentine’s Day and beyond.”
