AFKLMP Cargo gains FlowerWatch certification for its Bogota fresh flower station

Sep 26, 2019: French airline group Air France KLM Martinair Cargo’s (AFKLMP Cargo) fresh flower station in Bogota is now FlowerWatch approved.

This June, Kenya station became the first station to be FlowerWatch certified.

FlowerWatch has developed a fail-safe Quality Assurance system. This system does not just identify challenges in the cold chain, it actually helps to permanently fix them. The system's central concept is ‘time temperature exposure’, which is expressed in degree hours. This is the average temperature of your fresh flowers throughout transportation multiplied by the number of hours (1 degree hour = 1 hour x 1 degree Celsius). Every 500 degree hours reduces vase life by one day. The key to successful cold chain performance is to minimise the number of degree hours.

Eric Mauroux, Air France KLM Martinair Cargo’s Global head of perishables logistics explains: “By implementing the FlowerWatch quality insurance system in the main flower markets, we are not only improving the quality and vase life of fresh-cut flowers but also fostering vertical collaboration amongst all stake holders in the supply chain. We are the first airline to gain the certification, making it a reaffirmation of our commitment to the flower industry.”

Next month, AFKLMP Cargo is participating in largest international trade fair for cut flowers in the Americas, Proflora 2019 to be held in Bogota, Colombia from October 2 to 4.

On a yearly basis, the airline group ships approximately 32,000 tonnes of fresh flowers from Colombia (11,000) and Ecuador (21,000) to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.