The largest on-airport refrigeration unit on the West Coast is slated to open April 2 at Los Angeles International (LAX).
The 12,700 sq. ft. facility, which will be run by Mercury Air Cargo, is intended to attract air shipments from South American growers serving the West Coast flower market; there will be more than 1,000 boxes containing nearly a million flowers at the grand opening. It is expected to handle 8,500 tons of flowers in the first year and may increase flower shipments through the airport by up to 75%.
“The retail cost now of a single rose can run from $2 to $6 in Los Angeles,” says Gina Marie Lindsey, executive director of Los Angeles World Airports. “LAX is the ideal timesaving location for flower distribution sourced from South America to San Diego, Los Angeles, Portland and other West Coast cities. This direct-to-market air service means lower shipping costs that are certain to bring down the cost of flowers to the consumer.
“We welcome the investment Mercury is making to improve air cargo services at LAX and attract new, large volumes of cargo to our airport. LAX now has true flower power,” she says.
