AIR CARG O WEEK


NEWS Packaging petals


ing for flowers during its journey is crucial, especially considering the significant number of boxes of flowers being shipped. Given the considerable volumes involved, it is essential to ensure that each box is properly packed and identified, depending on the type of packaging and its characteristics, we assem- ble the pallets in one way or another. For example, the heavier and larger boxes go on the bottom of the pallet, so that the lighter ones don’t get damaged, and the product re- mains intact. “We believe that effective packaging not


only protects flowers from challenges or vari- ations during air cargo transportation, but also helps Avianca Cargo’s service to meet the criteria of the specialised demands and stan- dards of handling this commodity in various logistics scenarios,” Elias outlined. “Meticulously packing each box of flowers from farms to their destination via airfreight


is essential to ensure that the flowers arrive in fresh and prime condition to brighten the homes of consumers around the world. “Based on the above, the activities carried


out by us within the supply chain logistics of flowers include receipt, weighing, measuring, assembly, and transportation aligned with our CEIV FRESH certification, maintaining the required temperature and humidity condi- tions for this product. “This is done within the framework of


compliance with customs and security re- quirements required by the authorities at origin and destination. It should be noted that, in some cases, we make use of vacu- um cooling, which consists of moving some shipments to another warehouse where the flowers are kept cold, helping their conser- vation; likewise, during this season, priority is given to the reception shifts for these ship- ments. he added.


HANDLING flowers in the air cargo industry has challenges that require innovative solutions. Maintaining optimal temperature control is key, as flowers are very sensitive to tem- perature fluctuations. The fragility of flowers requires careful conditioning to avoid phys- ical damage during carriage. Time-sensitive flower transport requires effective logistical coordination to ensure on-time delivery, while compliance with customs and phytosanitary regulations adds a layer of complexity. “At Avianca Cargo we have been working


for and with the flower industry in Colom- bia and Ecuador for more than 50 years with Asocolflores and Expoflores,


the respective


associations of these countries. Together with these companies we guarantee to our custom- ers Valentine´s day seasons focused on quality, on-time performance and a premium service,” Diogo Elias, Senior Vice President at Avianca Cargo, said.


Seasonal success With close to 18,000 tonnes transported from Colombia and Ecuador to the United States, Avianca Cargo doubled its regular capacity for this product, operating around 300 flights for Valentine’s Day, providing its customers with the highest levels of quality, service and punctuality. The company prepares months in advance


for Valentine’s Day, and this year its focus was on implementing logistical solutions to ensure an efficient season. Avianca Cargo invested in infrastructure in Miami, the flower’s main destination, expanding and modernising the Jetfloor (the type of floor used), offering a new configuration in the cooler, thus increasing its capacity by 83% to serve up to six flights simultaneously.


Also in Miami, the company set a new re-


cord in flower processing and delivery times to its customers, reducing them by 57%, and increased its perishable cargo depalletisation (pallet breakdown) capacity by 40%. In Bo- gota, Avianca Cargo implemented extended receiving hours for 24/7 service on the receiv- ing lines; increased personnel in the operation by 30%; and implemented a system with virtu- al scheduling that reduced cargo acceptance times by 56% compared to 2023. “This Valentine’s Day season once again the leading cargo airline


positions us as


transporting flowers from Colombia to North America, doubling our capacity and strength- ening the flower industry in the region. With the immense responsibility of fulfilling the customer’s promise, we executed a great sea- son with service levels above 90%. This is an enormous effort by the Avianca Cargo team, inspired by the trust of our customers and with precise coordination with all the actors in the supply chain. Avianca Cargo has been there from the beginning and will continue to take our region’s flowers around the world for many years to come,” Elias explained Among the most exported flowers this


season by the airline were roses and carna- tions from Bogota; pompons, hydrangeas and chrysanthemums from Medellin; and roses, carnations and gypsophila from Quito.


Packaging petals The breakdown between air, road, and sea


as the main methods of transportation for flowers varies. Air transportation continues to account for over 90%, while sea transporta- tion represents around 10%. In remote regions such as Asia, air transportation reaches 100%. Selecting and qualifying the right packag-


ACW 19 FEBRUARY 2024


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