A US Airforwarders Association (AfA) survey reveals that over 75% of US airfreight forwarders face operational disruption from the Middle East conflict, with 29% reporting significant impact and 38% moderate impact. Over 60% saw cost increases — 27% significant, 41% moderate. Top challenges include rate volatility, flight cancellations, capacity constraints, longer transit times, and space embargoes. AfA also cites concurrent pressures from US tariff policy and the ongoing DHS shutdown. Supply chain professionals must now prioritize dynamic capacity allocation, cross-border compliance agility, and real-time visibility tools to maintain service reliability.
According to www.aircargonews.net, more than 75% of US airfreight forwarders are experiencing operational disruption due to the ongoing Middle East conflict. A survey conducted by the US Airforwarders Association (AfA) found that 29% reported a significant impact and 38% a moderate impact — collectively confirming widespread strain across the sector.
Costs Rising, Capacity Tightening
The AfA survey also revealed that over 60% of respondents observed measurable cost increases, with 27% citing significant hikes and 41% reporting moderate increases. Key pain points identified included:
- Rate volatility
- Flight cancellations
- Capacity constraints
- Longer transit times
- Growing customer service pressures
- Space embargoes
Leadership Response and Broader Context
This is the second AfA survey of 2026, following an earlier audit linking US tariff policy to declining cargo volumes handled by members. The association has also raised alarms about the ongoing shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security — in effect since February 13 — and urged policymakers to prioritize timely payment of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel to prevent cascading aviation disruptions.
“This data shows a sector under sustained pressure from global events beyond its control, with disruption, cost inflation, and uncertainty compounding daily operational challenges.” — Brandon Fried, executive director, Airforwarders Association
“Forwarders are adapting in real time, but they need a stable operating environment to keep goods moving efficiently.” — Brandon Fried, executive director, Airforwarders Association
These findings align with broader industry patterns: major carriers including Lufthansa Cargo, Qatar Airways Cargo, and Emirates SkyCargo have suspended or rerouted Middle East flights since early March 2026, contributing to regional capacity shortages. Concurrently, the Red Sea crisis — now entering its 16th month — continues to exert residual pressure on global air cargo routing decisions, particularly for time-sensitive pharmaceuticals and high-value electronics shipments. For supply chain professionals, this means heightened reliance on pre-emptive capacity booking, multi-carrier contingency planning, and closer collaboration with customs brokers to navigate evolving embargo lists and security protocols.
Source: Air Cargo News
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
