British Airways and Christian Salvesen have announced an expansion of operations at BA's World Perishable Cargo Handling Centre at Heathrow Airport to include fresh and cut flowers.
The two companies will process nine million bunches of flowers a year for The Real Flower Company, who specialises in home grown and imported flowers from Kenya, Colombia and South Africa.
The Real Flower Company arranges and distributes flowers ordered online direct to retailers and customers across the UK. With the new plans to by-pass traditional off-airport packhouse facilities the operation is set to reduce delivery time to customers by up to 48 hours. It follows £30,000 investment into automated handling equipment
Working with BA airside, Christian Salvesen will move flowers to a dedicated temperature-controlled area, where products will be custom cleared, unpacked, conditioned, trimmed, bunched and prepared for delivery.
Julian Marks, managing director at The Real Flower Company, said: “Through the handling centre we are able to significantly reduce out-of-water and transit time ensuring blooms get to market earlier and stay at their best for longer.”
Matthew George, general manager at the Perishable Cargo Handling Centre, added: “This investment means imported flowers can be treated in the same way as other fresh produce and enables retailers to access new varieties from further afield.”
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