Liège Airport in Belgium is positioning itself to become a major hub for flower imports in Europe. This shift is driven by Schiphol’s reduced capacity for handling flower cargo, as it focuses more on quality over quantity. The transformation of Liège into a prominent flower hub is not just a possibility but a growing reality. This would bring significant implications for the European flower trade and air cargo industry. For now, investment is needed.
Key Factors Supporting Liège’s Ambition
- Infrastructure Advantages: Liège Airport offers lower landing fees, fewer noise restrictions, and more available land and labor, making it an attractive alternative for flower exporters.
- Growing Demand: The airport already handles a significant volume of flower cargo, with up to seven full freighters arriving on some days.
- Future Potential: With proper investment in cooling facilities, Liège could enhance its cold chain capabilities, crucial for maintaining flower quality.
Insights from Industry Leaders
Willum van den Hoogen, Managing Director of Florius International FZCO, a prominent player in the international flower market, emphasizes the potential of Liège Airport as a future flower hub. He notes that while Liège has the necessary air cargo volumes, it lacks the specialized infrastructure required for handling perishable products like flowers. Van den Hoogen highlights the need for cooling facilities to maintain the ideal storage temperature of around 1°C, which is crucial for preserving flower quality.
Current Situation and Challenges
Liège Airport has been experiencing a surge in flower cargo handling in recent years. On peak days, the airport receives up to seven full freighters loaded with flowers, demonstrating its growing importance in the flower supply chain. This increase is partly due to the challenges faced by Schiphol Airport, which has been reducing its cargo handling slots over the past 10-15 years.
However, Liège still faces significant challenges in fully realizing its potential as a flower hub. The most pressing issue is the lack of proper infrastructure for handling perishable products like flowers. Currently, flowers are often stored in uncooled warehouses where temperatures can exceed 20°C, far from the ideal storage temperature of 1°C. This situation highlights the urgent need for investment in cooling facilities to ensure the quality of flower shipments.
Investments and Future Developments
Recognizing the potential for growth, several stakeholders are considering investments in Liège Airport’s infrastructure:
- Cooling Facilities: Three handlers have expressed willingness to invest in necessary infrastructure, including vacuum freezers, which are crucial for maintaining flower quality.
- Expansion Plans: Swissport, a major cargo handler at Liège, has recently added a third air cargo center, expanding its total surface space to 27,000 square meters. This expansion increases the overall capacity by 17% and allows for a wider range of handling services, including specialized operations for flowers.
- Industry Collaboration: Companies like Florius International are looking to invest in vacuum coolers at the airport, while Swissport is considering expanding its flower corridor concept.
Impact on the Flower Industry
The potential shift of flower cargo from Schiphol to Liège could have significant implications for the flower industry:
- Supply Chain Efficiency: With proper investments, Liège could offer a more efficient and higher-quality supply chain for flowers, potentially rivaling the U.S. market where most flowers are dry-packed and cold-stored.
- Market Adaptation: The flower industry may need to adapt its practices, focusing more on quality over quantity and setting stricter standards for temperature control during transport and storage.
- Economic Impact: As Liège grows as a flower hub, it could attract more businesses and create job opportunities in the region, boosting the local economy.
Liège Airport’s aspiration to become Europe’s main flower hub is backed by growing cargo volumes, strategic advantages, and planned investments. While challenges remain, particularly in terms of infrastructure for perishable goods, the airport’s potential is clear. With continued investment and industry collaboration, Liège could indeed transform into a major player in the European flower trade, offering an efficient alternative to traditional hubs like Schiphol.
As of March 2025, the transformation is still ongoing, but the foundations are being laid for what could be a significant shift in the European flower supply chain. The coming years will be crucial in determining whether Liège can fully capitalize on this opportunity and establish itself as the premier destination for flower imports in Europe.
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