Maastricht Aachen Airport has partnered with FlowerWatch, an accreditation consultancy specialising in flower supply chain key performance indicators and data monitoring, to improve the quality and lifespan of sensitive cargo passing through the Dutch cargo hub.

The collaboration will enhance the integrity and shelf life of perishable goods by addressing the critical challenge of temperature fluctuations in cargo transportation.

"We know that temperature inconsistencies can drive up to 20 per cent waste in flower freight," said Dean Boljuncic, Head of Commercial Development at Maastricht Aachen Airport.

"By making these fluctuations transparent and actionable, we can drastically reduce losses, increase profitability for our customers, and ensure flowers arrive fresher and last longer for the end consumer."

Through FlowerWatch's monitoring tools and data loggers, MST will gain precise insights into environmental conditions, enabling real-time adjustments.

The data will also enable the optimisation of handling processes to minimise waste and maintain product excellence throughout the supply chain, from pickup in Africa through to the end consumer in Europe.

"This partnership with FlowerWatch is a game-changer for our perishable cargo operations – optimising handling processes is central to our strategy, and this innovative step reinforces our competitive edge, ensuring MST remains the preferred gateway for high-value, sensitive cargo, now and into the future."