DFW Airport, Texas, Feb 12, 2024
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The flowers and bouquets that will be purchased by tens of thousands of people across the North Texas region this Valentine’s Day will be a lot fresher thanks to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Qatar Cargo.
DFW is home to a special cargo flight that transports approximately 12 tons of fresh-cut flowers from South America to Texas every week. The flight began last spring after DFW worked with Qatar Cargo to launch a special cargo operation that filled a need to supply the local market with flowers that are hours old instead of days.
"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,” said Milton De La Paz, Vice President Airline Relations. “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 flowers is undertaken by a Qatar Cargo flight from Bogota, Colombia, where the product is loaded onto a Boeing 777-200F aircraft and brought directly to DFW. The cargo holds an array of blooms, ranging from roses and carnations to assorted bouquets. Upon arrival, these flowers are distributed across the state, reaching local distribution centers, supermarkets and florists within hours. Direct delivery to DFW means approximately 2-3 days of additional shelf life for consumers in the region.
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.
About Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is one of the most connected airports in the world. Centered between owner cities Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, DFW Airport also serves as a major job generator for the North Texas region by connecting people through business and leisure travel. For more information, visit the DFW website or download the DFW Mobile App for iOS and Android devices.Follow @dfwairport on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.