This Valentine's Day, North Texas residents can expect fresher flowers, thanks to a special collaboration between Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Qatar Cargo.
DFW hosts a dedicated cargo flight that brings approximately 12 tons of fresh-cut flowers from South America to Texas every week. This initiative, which started last spring, addresses the need for delivering flowers to the local market within hours of being cut, rather than days.
Milton De La Paz, Vice President Airline Relations at DFW, explained, "We saw a gap in the marketplace for delivery of fresh flowers to the North Texas area that was historically done by trucks that took far longer and resulted in products with significantly reduced shelf life." He added, "With our state-of-the-art cold chain facilities and strategic location, DFW is well-equipped to bring in-demand imports to the Metroplex and the state. Qatar Cargo seized the opportunity to supply the region with fresh flowers direct from Colombia."
The journey of these vibrant blooms begins in Bogota, Colombia, where they are loaded onto a Boeing 777-200F aircraft operated by Qatar Cargo. Upon arrival at DFW, the flowers, including roses, carnations, and assorted bouquets, are swiftly distributed across the state to local distribution centers, supermarkets, and florists. This direct delivery process ensures that consumers in the region enjoy approximately 2-3 additional days of freshness compared to flowers shipped by other means.
In December 2023, fresh-cut flower imports to the U.S. were valued at $149 billion, according to the most recent data from the US Census Bureau, as analyzed by WorldCity. The airport is focused on growing its handling of temperature-sensitive products, leveraging its industry-leading cold chain facility.
This Valentine’s Day, DFW is proud to connect the region with the world – one bouquet at a time.
