Powering Valentine's Day with a surge through Miami

Valentine’s Day season brings a massive influx of flowers to Miami International Airport (MIA) each year, with Avianca Cargo leading operations from Colombia and Ecuador, transporting more than 19,000 tons of flowers from both countries.

“For the 2026 Valentine’s Day season, we strengthened our operation to deliver the capacity, reliability, and consistency our customers depend on during the industry’s most critical peak,” said Diogo Elias, CEO of Avianca Cargo, noting a 6% growth compared with the previous year. Following a complex process that takes months and requires dedication, thousands of farmers, inspectors, and transporters make the shipment of this prized product possible.

“By doubling our cargo capacity, operating a joint freighter fleet across the Americas, and reinforcing key lanes to the United States, we were able to reach the market efficiently and at the highest quality standards. This performance reflects the dedication of our teams and the strength of our partnerships across the floriculture supply chain,” he emphasized. Throughout the season, Avianca Cargo operated nearly 320 cargo flights, transporting more than 19,000 tons of flowers to key hubs such as Miami.

“Every year during Valentine’s Day, we process about 1,500 tons of cut flowers per day at MIA, which is a huge number,” said Ralph Cutié, Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Miami-Dade Aviation Department and Director of MIA. “Annually, about 91% of all the flowers that enter the United States come through our airport.”