This week, millions of couples across the globe will be finalizing their gift ideas for their loved ones ahead of Valentine’s Day. In total, approximately 250 million stems of flowers are sold during the festivities each year. Ahead of the big day, Simple Flying got a close look at how Iberia helps fulfill Europe’s demand.
From Latin America, with love
They have long reported on the passenger services of Iberia over the years. However, as a division of IAG Cargo, the flag carrier of Spain plays an integral role in delivering goods and supplies across the continents to and from its hub of Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport.
Such items include flowers, which arrive in the capital of Spain from several different exotic regions around the world. Concerning Valentine’s Day flowers, Europe relies heavily on overseas production to meet heavy demand during the cold winter period. With notably strong agricultural conditions this time of year, Latin America is a hotbed for colorful flora. Subsequently, last Thursday’s delivery was from Quito, Ecuador.
Flight IB6454 left the capital of Ecuador at 19:28 before arriving in Madrid at 10:31, earlier than its scheduled arrival time of 11:20, thanks to the jet stream over the Atlantic Ocean. The Airbus A350-900 was carrying three tons of flowers to be distributed to wholesalers and flower shops throughout Spain and Europe. It is one of the numerous flights that are part of an operation to transport 500 tons of flowers from across the Atlantic in the weeks leading up to Valentine's Day.
Read more at simpleflying.com