Quito expands flower processing area as it prepares for busy Valentine’s season

Ecuador’s Quito International Airport has expanded its specialist cargo area as it prepares for another busy Valentine’s Day period.

The airport said that companies specialised in cargo palletising at the airport had invested in expanding the manoeuvring area in the cargo apron and their own processing area.

The expansion has added 2,880 sq m to the facilities and will enable much more efficient processing, airport operator Quiport explained.

The companies that invested in the expansion include Novacargo, Servipallet, Pertraly and Novasan.

The four palletising companies assemble the pallets of flower boxes according to the specifications of the aircraft in which they will be transported.

These pallets are stored in cold rooms until they must be shipped to their destinations.

Quiport said it was expecting an increase in flower volumes during this year’s Valentine’s season, which lasts until February, due to increased airline capacity. 

“The expansions carried out and the strategic collaboration with palletizing companies are testimony of our dedication to facilitating airport cargo services in Mariscal Sucre. We are excited by the projected growth and we are confident that our airport will continue to play a fundamental role in this area,” said Ramón Miró, president and chief executive of Quiport.

15 cargo airlines operate from the airport offering both scheduled and charter flights.

More than 90% of cargo transported from the airport is flowers.

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