Avianca Cargo has reported record-breaking results during the 2026 Mother’s Day season, transporting more than 21,000 tonnes of flowers to the United States as demand for fresh blooms surged ahead of the holiday.
The airline said it handled 42% of all Colombian flower exports to the US during the seasonal peak, marking the largest Mother’s Day operation in the company’s history.
Including shipments from Ecuador, Avianca Cargo said one in every three flowers exported from the region was transported aboard its aircraft.
To cope with increased demand, the carrier operated more than 330 cargo flights during the period, exceeding last year’s total. The operation was supported by a fleet of nine dedicated freighter aircraft, two more than in 2025, alongside additional leased capacity.
Diogo Elias said the performance highlighted both the scale of the airline’s logistics network and the importance of the Mother’s Day market to the floriculture industry.
“Mother’s Day remains one of the most significant seasons for the flower industry, and we are proud to deliver another strong performance that reinforces our leadership in the market,” he said.
The airline added that the operation relied on close coordination across supply chains linking Colombia, Ecuador and international markets.
At peak periods, Avianca Cargo transported up to 24 million flower stems within a 24-hour period, operating as many as 24 daily departures.
In Miami, one of the world’s largest flower import hubs, the company increased its ground workforce by 20% and opened a new inspection area in partnership with US Customs and Border Protection to speed up cargo processing.
Warehouse capacity was also expanded in Bogotá and Medellín, with increases of 35% and 41% respectively, to improve cargo handling efficiency.
Daniella Levine Cava said Miami remained the main gateway for flower imports into the United States, with more than 1,500 tonnes of stems arriving daily during the Mother’s Day rush.
She added that partnerships between cargo airlines, airport operators and border agencies had helped ensure flowers reached retailers across the country in time for the holiday.
During a normal week, around 30% of Avianca Cargo’s total capacity is used for flower shipments. During the Mother’s Day period, that share rose to 42%, underlining the sector’s growing importance to the airline’s operations.