Liège's CargoLand handled 13,850 tonnes of flowers in the four weeks leading up to Valentine's Day, marking one of its busiest peaks of the year for perishables.
The surge was supported by 45 additional charter flights on top of regular schedules, underscoring the hub's role as a major European gateway for time‑critical floral shipments.
The operation required tight coordination across handlers, forwarders, airlines, trucking partners and public authorities, with preparations beginning weeks in advance to manage expected volumes, staffing needs and updated phytosanitary procedures.
CargoLand's 24/7 cargo-first setup enabled the community to absorb the seasonal spike without disruption, maintaining strict temperature control and rapid throughput during one of the floriculture sector's most demanding periods.
(Photo: CargoLand LGG)
During the Valentine's season, the majority of flowers handled at CargoLand by LGG originate from Kenya, Ecuador, Colombia, Ethiopia, as well as key Latin American gateways such as Quito and Bogota, supported by dense airline connectivity and close coordination with GSAs, brokers and forwarders.
Liège's CargoLand noted that fast airside-to-warehouse transfers and dedicated cold-chain infrastructure play a decisive role in protecting flower quality, with ULD-compatible cold rooms maintained at 2–8°C and contingency capacity available at all times — and this focus on integrity is essential, as individual flower shipments can represent values of up to US$1 million.
Operationally, the peak hinged on tight coordination and clear communication across the cargo chain. Real‑time visibility tools, close interaction between handlers and truckers, and prioritised processing for flower shipments enabled CargoLand by LGG to move several hundred tonnes per day while keeping dwell times low.
The Valentine's period again highlighted the airport's ability to scale its operations reliably during sharp seasonal spikes.
"Flowers are far more than a commodity, they carry value, emotion and trust," said Frédéric Brun, head of Commercial Cargo & Logistics at CargoLand by LGG.
"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."
