Between January 17 and February 7, Avianca Cargo operated more than 300 flights, handling over 16,000 tons of goods. The freighter airline mainly flew to the United States during this period and had a 15% growth in terms of carried tons versus 2021; it mostly carried flowers in time for Valentine's Day.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day

February is a very busy month for Latin American cargo carriers, as they try to cope with the growing demand for goods, particularly flowers, in the run-up to Valentine’s Day. Other airlines, like IAG Cargo, also boost their South American capacity around this date.

Avianca Cargo has been operating freighter flights for nearly half a century (48 years, to be precise). The airline has been helping the flower industry in Colombia and Ecuador throughout this time.

Gabriel Oliva, Avianca Cargo CEO, said,

“We launched a robust strategy in time for the 2022 flower season, as we aimed to strengthen our operation and provide a high-quality service. We reassigned the capacity of our freighters to increase the offer, and we redeployed some of our passenger aircraft to serve cargo-only flights, carrying flowers.”

Avianca Cargo operated over 300 flights and nearly 100 weekly frequencies in the last couple of weeks. It carried over 16,000 tons, mainly to the United States for the Valentine’s Day season. This year, the airline grew by 15% in terms of the carried tons versus 2021, breaking the record for the season for the second year in a row. The air cargo service has had record growth in the last few years, providing a most-needed source of income to many carriers as they struggle due to the COVID-19 crisis.

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Leading destinations

Avianca Cargo operated flower-freighter flights, particularly to Miami and Los Angeles, the airline said in a statement. The airline flew these operations from Bogotá and Medellín in Colombia and Quito, Ecuador.

According to the Colombian Government, the flower exportation industry provided the country with US$1,740 million in 2021, growing by 22% in comparison with 2020. Around 15% of all the yearly revenues come from the Valentine’s Day season alone.

Avianca’s freighter segment

Up to 2021’s third quarter, Avianca’s cargo revenue was US$552 million, a 6% decrease compared to 2020's revenues in this segment. The airline hasn’t published its full 2021 financial results.

The cargo business is an important revenue source to Avianca. Cargo sales accounted for 30.8%, 10.9%, and 11.4% of Avianca’s operating revenues in 2020, 2019, and 2018 respectively.

Avianca had an overall fleet of 142 aircraft (as of September 30, 2021). The airline operated six Airbus A330F, three A300F, and two Boeing 767F.

The South American airline offers cargo service throughout most of its passenger route network. Additionally, it provides cargo service to many other destinations through 92 interline agreements.

Avianca Cargo has been the largest cargo carrier in Colombia by gross ton, with approximately 33.54% of the market share. Additionally, Avianca Cargo is in the top five of the largest airlines of international freight to and from Miami.

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