Avianca Cargo Sets Record with 15% Growth in 2025 Mother’s Day Shipments
Avianca Cargo, a leading air cargo carrier in Latin America and a vital link in the global floral supply chain, has announced the successful completion of its Mother’s Day 2025 shipping season with a historic record. The company transported more than 20,100 tons of fresh flowers from Colombia and Ecuador to destinations across North America and Europe, marking a 15% increase over the previous year’s volume.
This achievement underscores Avianca Cargo’s unwavering leadership in the transportation of perishables and reaffirms its position as the number-one flower carrier from Colombia to the United States. It also highlights the airline’s strength in managing complex, high-volume operations without compromising quality or efficiency.
A Season of Operational Excellence
Mother’s Day is one of the most critical and high-demand periods for the flower industry, second only to Valentine’s Day in terms of volume. To meet the heightened demand during this peak season, Avianca Cargo undertook an ambitious ramp-up of its operations. The airline doubled its capacity, introduced expanded logistical infrastructure, and provided 24/7 flower service across strategic terminals in Colombia, Ecuador, and the United States.
“Mother’s Day is one of the most important seasons for the flower industry, and we are proud to once again fulfill our commitment,” said Diogo Elias, CEO of Avianca Cargo. “We celebrate a historic record that reaffirms our market position and leadership as the flower carrier of the season between Colombia and the United States. Thanks to all our key stakeholders and clients, we recognize each of these 20,100 tons as a shared achievement.”
This operational success was the result of meticulous planning, coordination across multiple countries, and the dedicated efforts of hundreds of team members, from cargo handlers to customs agents, logistics planners, and flight crews.
Infrastructure Expansion and Strategic Execution
During the Mother’s Day 2025 season, Avianca Cargo executed more than 300 dedicated flower flights to deliver fresh blooms efficiently and on time. The airline maintained uninterrupted, round-the-clock flower reception and shipment processing across its main hubs. This ensured freshness and minimized delays during a time when the slightest lapse in temperature control or transit time could result in spoiled cargo and financial loss.
The company’s five decades of experience in transporting perishables gave it a significant advantage in managing such a time-sensitive and delicate product. Flower varieties such as carnations, pompons, chrysanthemums, and gypsophilas made up the majority of the shipments, each requiring specific handling procedures and environmental conditions to preserve their aesthetic and commercial value.
Miami: The Flower Gateway to the U.S.
Avianca Cargo’s strategic partnership with Miami International Airport (MIA) once again proved pivotal. Miami served as the primary gateway for flower imports from Latin America to the United States, receiving over 85% of Avianca’s floral shipments during the 2024-2025 floral season. The city’s advanced infrastructure, geographic advantage, and logistics ecosystem make it the ideal hub for the U.S. floral market.
Ralph Cutié, Director and CEO of Miami International Airport, acknowledged the airline’s contribution to the airport’s cargo success:
“Thanks to airline partners like Avianca, more than 1,000 tons of flowers have been arriving at MIA every day in the weeks leading up to Mother’s Day. That equals nine out of every ten flowers imported to the U.S. In fact, flowers continue to be MIA’s largest imported product, accounting for nearly 380,000 tons worth $1.8 billion annually. Congratulations to Avianca on having its best Mother’s Day season ever for flower shipments, which is helping MIA have yet another record year in cargo volume.”
To meet the seasonal surge, Avianca Cargo boosted its local workforce in Miami by 30%, ensuring adequate manpower to handle increased freight and to maintain service excellence. This growth not only contributed to Miami’s logistics strength but also supported local employment and the regional economy.
A Commitment to Quality and Compliance
One of the key differentiators that solidifies Avianca Cargo’s leadership in the perishable goods market is its certification under the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Perishable Logistics (CEIV Fresh). As the first airline in the Americas to achieve CEIV Fresh certification, Avianca Cargo has demonstrated its capability to uphold the highest standards in temperature-controlled logistics.
Transporting perishable goods such as flowers involves much more than cold storage. It requires sophisticated supply chain coordination, thorough risk analysis, detailed process documentation, and precise execution across all touchpoints—airport terminals, trucks, and cargo holds alike. The CEIV Fresh certification is a testament to Avianca’s investment in these capabilities and its alignment with best practices in global air freight.
Maintaining proper temperature control and minimizing transit time are essential to preserving the integrity of flowers, especially over long-haul international routes. Avianca Cargo’s success in this area has not only supported its customers’ business goals but also enhanced the reliability of flower imports in the U.S. and European markets.
A Shared Achievement Across the Supply Chain
Miami-Dade County Commissioner Raquel Regalado highlighted the broader significance of the operation, stating:
“Almost every flower that will be touched by a mother or grandmother in the United States came through Miami International Airport and through Avianca. And that’s why today we celebrate the partnership, the infrastructure, and focus in on the different points throughout the supply chain.”
From growers in Colombia and Ecuador to distributors and florists in North America and Europe, Avianca Cargo’s Mother’s Day operation was a coordinated effort that brought together dozens of partners across borders and industries. Each ton of flowers delivered reflects a value chain that spans continents and supports thousands of jobs.
Innovation and Growth
As the floral industry continues to evolve with growing consumer demand and more complex logistics requirements, Avianca Cargo is committed to staying ahead through innovation and investment. The company is focused on expanding its fleet capabilities, optimizing cargo processes, and implementing sustainable practices that reduce its carbon footprint—without compromising service quality.
Its leadership in the flower transport sector serves as a broader model for handling other perishable commodities, including fruits, vegetables, and pharmaceuticals. With over half of its total cargo volume consisting of perishables, Avianca Cargo is uniquely positioned to continue leading in this high-stakes segment of the air freight industry.
By combining operational excellence with customer-centric service and regulatory compliance, Avianca Cargo has once again proven why it remains a dominant force in the global flower market.
Avianca Cargo’s historic performance during the Mother’s Day 2025 season represents more than just a logistical milestone—it is a celebration of teamwork, precision, and enduring relationships. Transporting over 20,100 tons of fresh flowers across international borders in a matter of days is no small feat. It’s a powerful example of what’s possible when expertise, innovation, and passion converge in a mission to deliver beauty and joy, one bloom at a time.
With continued investment in infrastructure, partnerships, and sustainability, Avianca Cargo is not only prepared for future peak seasons—it is poised to define them.