Global air and travel service provider dnata has handled 227,530kg of flowers in just five days at its dedicated facility at the Dubai Flower Centre (DFC), marking a sharp seasonal uplift ahead of Valentine’s Day.
Between February 7-11 2026, dnata processed 274 shipments comprising more than 18,700 boxes of flowers. Operations peaked on February 10, when the team handled 59,800kg in a single day – more than double normal daily volumes.
The majority of inbound shipments originated from Colombia, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Kenya and the Netherlands. Hydrangeas, chrysanthemums and orchids featured prominently among arrivals, although red roses accounted for the largest share of seasonal demand.
dnata’s purpose-built perishables facility at DFC spans approximately 3,500sqm and features temperature-controlled zones, rapid airside transfer corridors and specialised handling systems for time- and temperature-sensitive cargo.
The site can process up to 400,000kg of perishables per day and is supported by more than 50 trained cargo professionals operating around the clock during peak periods.
Guillaume Crozier, chief cargo officer at dnata, said: “Valentine’s Day is one of the busiest periods of the year for flower logistics. Our team works closely with airline partners, exporters, freight forwarders, shippers and consignees to ensure shipments move swiftly and efficiently through Dubai, maintaining the highest standards of care for perishables.”
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