Avianca Cargo moves 21,000 tonnes of flowers for Mother’s Day

Avianca Cargo transported more than 21,000 tonnes of flowers from Colombia and Ecuador during the 2026 Mother’s Day season, marking the largest seasonal flower operation in the airline’s history. The carrier operated more than 330 cargo flights and dedicated 42 per cent of its total capacity to flower transportation during the peak export period to the United States.

The airline said it accounted for 42 per cent of Colombian flower exports to the U.S. during the season. Including exports from Ecuador, Avianca Cargo said that at least one out of every three flowers exported from the region travelled aboard its aircraft. Around 330 million stems were transported during the period.

To support the increase in seasonal demand, the carrier expanded its freighter operations with a fleet of nine dedicated cargo aircraft, two more than in the previous year. Additional leased capacity was also introduced to manage export volumes while maintaining services across other cargo markets.

“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,” said Diogo Elias, CEO of Avianca Cargo. “This year’s results reflect the scale of our operation and the trust our partners place in us to move more than 21,000 tonnes of flowers to the United States, which reflects the coordinated work across the entire logistics chain and further strengthens our role as a key connector between Colombia, Ecuador and global markets.”

The United States remains the largest market for flower exports from Colombia and Ecuador during the Mother’s Day season, with Miami continuing to serve as a major entry point for perishable traffic.

“Miami-Dade County continues to be home to America’s largest gateway for fresh flowers, where more than 1,500 tonnes of stems have been arriving daily this year for Mother’s Day,” said Daniella Levine Cava. “As MIA continues to rise as a global cargo hub, now ranked #3 in the world for total freight, our strong partnerships with leading cargo airlines like Avianca and the dedicated support of U.S. Customs and Border Protection help ensure millions of blooms safely and efficiently reach moms across the country in time for the holiday.”

Operational data released by the airline showed that flower volumes peaked at approximately 24 million stems transported within a 24-hour period. During the busiest days of the season, the carrier operated up to 24 daily departures.

The airline said flower transportation typically accounts for about 30 per cent of its weekly cargo capacity. During the Mother’s Day period, this increased to 42 per cent, reflecting the importance of the holiday for growers, exporters and logistics providers across the region.

To support the seasonal operation, Avianca Cargo implemented infrastructure and staffing upgrades at key stations. In Miami, the company increased its ground workforce by 20 per cent and introduced a new inspection area in coordination with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to improve cargo processing times.

Avianca Cargo expanded warehouse capacity in Bogotá by 35 percent and increased handling space in Medellín by 41 percent. The company stated that these measures aimed to enhance cargo reception and operational efficiency during the export peak.

The airline also maintained strong market shares on major flower routes. Avianca Cargo estimated it held a 65 per cent share of the Medellín to Miami market and approximately 35 per cent of the Bogotá to Miami route during the season.

The carrier also expanded services to the U.S. West Coast, increasing Los Angeles frequencies from three to five weekly flights compared with the 2025 Mother’s Day season.

“As families prepare to celebrate Mother’s Day, our agriculture specialists and frontline officers are working tirelessly to help ensure flowers arriving into the United States are safe from harmful pests and plant diseases,” said Daniel Alonso, Director of Field Operations (CBP). “I’m incredibly proud of our workforce and their commitment to protecting America’s agriculture while helping families enjoy this meaningful holiday with peace of mind.”

As part of the seasonal campaign, Avianca Cargo also highlighted the role of workers across the floriculture and logistics sectors, including mothers involved in flower production, cargo handling and transportation operations that support exports from Colombia and Ecuador to international markets.