By Eva Richardson | The Logistic News
The international air freight industry is facing a new challenge. Following the recent decision by U.S. authorities to raise tariffs on a wide range of Chinese imports, cargo routes between Asia and North America are undergoing a sudden and chaotic shift. Carriers, forwarders, and shippers are now scrambling to adjust in the face of soaring rates and operational bottlenecks.
Within just 72 hours of the announcement, freight rates on the Beijing–Los Angeles corridor spiked by 7.4%, according to the Shanghai Air Freight Index—a surge unseen since the pandemic-triggered disruptions of 2021.
“Booking activity exploded,” said David Lin, logistics director at a Hong Kong-based freight forwarding firm. “Customers are trying to move everything they can before the new tariffs officially come into play.”
The urgency to transport cargo has led to a surge in demand not only to California but also to inland destinations such as Chicago and Dallas, necessitating carriers to swiftly adjust their operations. Airlines are pulling parked aircraft back into service, redeploying passenger jets for freight, and modifying schedules to increase flight frequencies on high-demand lanes.
Still, these moves are only partially easing the strain. U.S. gateway airports are now experiencing growing congestion. Ground handlers at facilities in Los Angeles, New York, and Atlanta report delayed unloading, customs backlogs, and limited storage space as warehouses approach full capacity. In some cases, forwarders are rerouting shipments through secondary hubs to bypass overwhelmed terminals.
“It feels like peak season panic—except we’re in April,” noted Julia Romero, an air freight consultant based in Frankfurt. “No one saw it coming this fast.”
The immediate reaction is just one layer of the unfolding crisis. For many supply chain decision-makers, the latest tariff escalation is reviving old questions about the long-term reliability of their sourcing strategies. With pressure rising, companies are once again reassessing where they manufacture—and how they ship.
A growing number of manufacturers are quietly exploring alternative production zones, with many turning their attention to emerging hubs in Southeast Asia and parts of Latin America. This shift isn’t just about cost—it’s a strategic move to dilute exposure to escalating U.S.-China tensions and reduce the risk of sudden trade shocks.
On the logistics side, there’s a similar adjustment underway. Some supply chain managers have started to divert less time-sensitive cargo to ocean routes, allowing them to reserve scarce air freight capacity for shipments with tighter delivery windows. The goal isn’t only to optimize efficiency—it’s also a response to rising freight volatility.
At the same time, fuel prices continue their upward climb, especially in key aviation regions like Europe and East Asia. The sustained increase since the beginning of the year is starting to bite, particularly for sectors that rely heavily on fast, just-in-time delivery models.
Layered over all this is the added burden of new environmental compliance measures. With regulatory deadlines approaching in both the U.S. and the EU, many freight operators are facing tough questions about fleet upgrades, emissions targets, and long-term sustainability strategies.
Both in the United States and Europe, carriers are bracing for tighter emissions regulations. This leaves many operators—especially midsize carriers—facing a tough choice between investing in cleaner, more efficient aircraft or absorbing the financial blow of penalties and carbon offsets.
As for the regulatory response, clarity remains elusive. Despite multiple policy proposals from Brussels and Washington—including incentives for sustainable freight and fast-track customs procedures—concrete, scalable solutions have yet to materialize on the ground. Many in the sector feel they’re navigating this turbulence without coordinated support.
As a result, supply chain planners are once again walking a tightrope—trying to preserve speed without overspending and ensuring resilience without losing flexibility. Agility, more than ever, is the defining asset.
“Every trade decision now creates a ripple effect across the globe,” added Romero. “And air freight is the first place those ripples hit.”
With the global economy still on uncertain footing and trade tensions far from settled, the air cargo sector remains not just a service but a barometer of global stability.
