The new lunar year is one of the most important celebrations in Asia, as it brings family reunification, vibrant celebrations, and for the logistical services industry, a severe period of increased activity. These annual holidays are a temporary pause in manufacturing and trade throughout China and Hong Kong, which sends ripples across global supply chains.
But as data from Global Logistics System (HK), Ltd. (GLS), the effect on air charging movements develops, with digitization to play a growing role in relieving seasonal disorders.
Usually the months before the new lunar year see an increase in air cargo activity, as companies rush to transport goods before factories and logistics operations slow down holidays.
“In the two months before the New Lunar New Year (December 2024 and January 2025), the number of shipments exported from Hong Kong through our portal, EZYCARGO, increased by 18 % and 15 %, respectively. In China, shipments increased by 12 % compared to the previous month.
This increase is not a new phenomenon, but 2025 has witnessed a particularly noticeable increase. Compared to the same period in 2024, total shipments grew by approximately 25 %, while shipments outside China increased by 40 %.
While the increase in shipments is clear before the holiday, many expect a sharp decrease in the capacity of air cargo with companies closing the celebrations. However, Wong notes that the factory closure effect was less important this year:
“From our numbers, we see that although there is a declining trend expected in the capacity near the holidays, the total impact on global air charging movements was less severe than it was in previous years.”
One of the main transformations in air cargo is the increased dependence on technology to manage fluctuations in demand. GLS, for example, launched EZYFHL, a feature designed to help users manage complex home data in air charging, especially in e -commerce shipments.
“When recharge reorient agents and airlines deal with thousands of entries in one charge, EZYFHL allows them to send data in only a few clicks,” Wong explains.
This type of automation reduces the treatment time from 30 minutes to only five, which increases efficiency and ensuring accurate documents even during peak seasons.
For transportation companies, digital platforms enhance vision through the supply chain, which helps airlines respond to the disturbances more quickly. Wong also notes: “Transportation companies benefit from accurate tools and digital tracking tools, which reduces the delay of shipping resulting from human errors in peak periods.”
Will the effect of the new lunar year weaken over time?
As developments in technology continue, some industry experts expect that seasonal disorders caused by the new lunar year can gradually diminish. The automation solutions, robots, AI and Logchain -based logistics are to simplify global supply chains, allowing stock management and production planning more efficient.
“The impact of the new lunar year on global logistics will be reduced in the long run with the continued technology in converting supply chains,” Wong expects.
