Valentine’s Day represents one of the most demanding logistics peaks of the year for the global flower industry, and CargoLand by LGG is once again fully mobilised to ensure seamless flows during this critical period.
Each year, hundreds of tonnes 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 tonnes 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 for Valentine’s Day starts well in advance and is rooted in a strong community approach. All stakeholders across the flower ecosystem such as ground handlers, freight forwarders, trucking companies, airlines and public authorities are brought together to anticipate volumes, staffing needs and regulatory changes, including updated phytosanitary procedures and new regulatory requirements supported by the AFSCA-FAVV (Belgian Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain).
By communicating early and planning for potential overflow, CargoLand by LGG ensures that sufficient human and technical resources are in place to absorb peak demand without disruption.
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.
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.
This focus on integrity is essential, as individual flower shipments can represent values of up to USD 1 million.
Operationally, timing and communication are everything. Real-time visibility through digital tools, continuous coordination between handlers and truckers, and priority treatment for flower cargo allow CargoLand by LGG to handle hundreds of tonnes per day while keeping dwell times to a minimum.
The Valentine’s campaign once again underscores the airport’s ability to scale reliably during extreme peaks.
Frédéric Brun, Head of Commercial Cargo & Logistics at CargoLand by LGG, says: “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.”