Brandon Fried, Executive Director, Airforwarders Association
June 2025 Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI) down 0.4% from previous month, 0.5% below June 2024
Washington D.C, Thursday 14th August: Airforwarders Association today cautioned that a slowdown in freight volumes, reported in newly-released U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) data, is another sign of mounting challenges for shippers facing fewer viable transportation options and rising supply chain costs.
The U.S. DOT’s Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI) fell 0.4% in June compared to May and was down 0.5% year-over-year.
“While the pandemic taught us the importance of supply chain agility, the current environment of shifting trade policies, tariffs, and regulatory changes has left shippers with fewer choices for moving goods,” said Brandon Fried, Executive Director of the Airforwarders Association.
“Limited shipping options almost always lead to higher costs, costs that ultimately flow to American consumers.”
Fried emphasized that sudden changes to policy, such as tariff adjustments or de minimis threshold modifications, create ripple effects across all modes.
“When carriers or routes are no longer viable, shippers must pivot quickly, often to more expensive alternatives,” he said.
According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the June decline was driven by reductions in rail intermodal, rail carload, and trucking volumes.
Air freight and waterborne freight saw modest increases, while pipeline volumes were flat.
“Air freight continues to offer flexibility in times of disruption, but the broader freight network is showing signs of strain,” Fried said.
“Our members remain committed to finding solutions that keep goods moving efficiently, even in a marketplace with fewer and more expensive transportation options.”
The Airforwarders Association represents companies specializing in time-definite transportation and supply chain solutions, advocating for policies that maintain efficient, secure, and competitive freight networks.
About the Airforwarders Association
The Airforwarders Association (AfA) represents hundreds of U.S companies dedicated to moving cargo through the supply chain on all modes of transport.
AfA has been supporting member companies of all sizes for 35 years, acting as the voice of the industry and lobbying legislators to help drive sustainable practices and ensure resilient, safe, secure supply chains.
As an alliance of indirect air carriers, cargo airlines and related businesses operating across the global transportation community, we represent member companies dedicated to moving air cargo through the supply chain.
Our members include not only air forwarders, but truckers, airlines, warehouse operators and businesses delivering a range of supporting services including technology, training, compliance, insurance and legal, just to name a few industries.
From campaigning for better national infrastructure to opening discussions about carbon reductions and digitilization – AfA has promoted hundreds of its members and streamlined business models to continue the growing industry.
More information at airforwarders.org/