1、Air Freight Rate Tracker Q1 2026Air Freight Rate Tracker Q1 20262GLOBAL INTRODUCTIONAir freight is bracing for a rate surge as Middle East airspace closures hit the Gulfs transit hubs while the Strait of Hormuz crisis rattles energy and ocean shipping.Global trade faced a massive shock on February 2
2、8,2026,following a military escalation in the Middle East which triggered immediate closures of the Strait of Hormuz and the Suez Canal,while also grounding flights across the Gulf.This regional instability is now a primary driver of worldwide logistics disruptions.Airspace restrictions and no fly z
3、ones have prompted airlines to suspend or reroute services.Ocean carriers have paused sailings through the Strait of Hormuz until further notice.DSV announced that customers should anticipate potential delays or even cancellations,space constraints,and short-notice rate adjustments in the coming day
4、s and weeks.As capacity tightens and carriers reassess risk exposure across key corridors,global air cargo markets are entering a more volatile phase.As airlines redeploy aircraft,extend routings to avoid affected airspace,and suspend selected services,the amount of capacity is being squeezed across
5、 multiple trade lanes.Even where schedules remain intact,longer flight times and operational inefficiencies can reduce available payload and limit how quickly networks can recover.In addition,pressure points are emerging on Asia-linked routes.The most acute constraints are expected on Far EastEurope
6、 trade lanes,where any detours or hub disruption can quickly ripple through connectivity.AsiaMiddle East corridors will also be affected,where capacity is especially sensitive to service changes and routing restrictions.For shippers,that typically translates into longer lead times and tighter bookin