Miami International Airport (MIA) is gearing up for its busiest Valentine’s season yet, with the airport set to receive over 1,500 tons of fresh flowers daily from now until the end of February. This marks a 3% increase over last year’s record-breaking numbers, solidifying MIA’s position as the largest flower gateway to the U.S.
The expected 90,154 tons of flowers arriving during the Valentine’s rush will be valued at over $400 million. Flowers continue to be MIA’s top import by weight, comprising 359,396 tons annually, worth $1.65 billion. The majority of these flowers come from Colombia and Ecuador, which together supply 86% of all flower imports to the U.S. by air.
With an unmatched network of 12 cargo airlines serving Colombia and 9 from Ecuador, MIA is well-equipped to handle the influx. Passenger airlines also contribute to the flow by carrying flowers in their belly cargo, ensuring the steady arrival of blooms across the country.
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“MIA is proud to remain the primary gateway for fresh flowers to the U.S.,” said Ralph Cutie, MIA’s Director and CEO. “Thanks to our dedicated cargo partners and support from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, millions of flowers will reach their final destinations in time for the holiday, bringing joy to countless loved ones.”
As the nation’s largest air cargo hub for flowers, MIA plays a crucial role in the global flower trade, ensuring timely deliveries and reinforcing its status as a key player in the logistics of fresh flowers.
