The beginning of 2026 shows a more dynamic airfreight than expected. After the post-holiday slowdown, volumes are picking up again, fueled by a well-known phenomenon: the anticipation of shipments before the Chinese New Year. Several signals converge: shippers are accelerating again on certain product families, and freight forwarders are observing a return in demand on strategic corridors, with tension that can quickly rise as factory closure dates approach.

But the mechanics are more subtle than a simple “seasonal peak.” Shippers are also looking to secure deadlines in an environment where logistical patterns are changing rapidly (capacities, sea/air trade-offs, geopolitical uncertainties). For professionals, the point of attention is clear: the “pre-CNY” window can create temporary rate increases and localized saturations. Organizations that plan early and lock in their allocations gain an immediate advantage.

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