IAG Cargo has announced that its work to help the lovestruck keep the magic alive this Valentine’s Day, reporting the transportation of nearly 450 (438) tonnes of flowers across its network, or approximately 18 million stems, with popular blooms including fresh cuts of roses, chrysanthemums and carnations.

Over the past few weeks IAG Cargo has been running flights across its network, including four flights a week from Nairobi, Kenya into London Heathrow and flights from Nairobi into the US, to ensure those in love can spoil their loved ones this Valentine’s Day. It’s a busy time of year for flowering farms, cargo operators, freight forwarders and distributors who have all been working hard to ensure consumers worldwide can enjoy floral delights for Valentine’s Day.

Valentine’s Day flowers rely on a complex supply chain, with air freight offering a fast and reliable service. The process sees flowers hit shelves within 72 hours of being cut, with temperatures between 0 – 2°C maintained from the farm to shop. IAG Cargo specialises in the required cold chain management via its Constant Fresh offering.

Bob Andersen, CEO at The Elgon Collection based in Kenya, currently grows roses on 43 hectares, commented: “During all the challenges of COVID-19, buying flowers for a loved one is a small way of making someone feel special. We believe the secret to our success is in growing top quality roses whilst genuinely caring for our community and environment. With the success of our flower farm we have been able to build three schools, a hospital, a vocational training centre, a children’s home and a training centre. We hope our flowers will brighten up your Valentine’s Day this year.”

Freddie Overton, Regional Commercial Manager for Europe & Africa at IAG Cargo commented: “Flowers are the quintessential gift on Valentine’s Day and we’re pleased to see that despite the ongoing difficulties caused by COVID-19, there are many people in the world who are romantics at heart, even during a pandemic! We have some of the best floral facilities in the world to help get Valentine’s flowers to market, looking as fresh as the day they were cut, for consumers to enjoy during a unique Valentine’s Day this year.”