Forward Air Corporation has been named the 2026 Surface Carrier of the Year by the Airforwarders Association (AfA). The award was presented during the annual AirCargo Conference, a leading industry event bringing together air cargo and logistics professionals.
The Surface Carrier of the Year honor is determined through voting by AfA’s freight forwarder membership. The recognition reflects member feedback on performance, reliability, responsiveness, and overall partnership. Forward Air’s expedited ground network plays a vital role in supporting air freight schedules, providing time-sensitive surface transportation solutions that integrate seamlessly with air cargo operations.
Shawn Stewart, President and Chief Executive Officer of Forward Air, stated that the award highlights the strength of the company’s nationwide ground network and the dedication of its team in delivering consistent service excellence. He noted that maintaining schedule integrity for freight forwarders requires operational precision and dependable execution across every shipment.
Brandon Fried, Executive Director of the Airforwarders Association, said the recognition is based on direct member evaluations of service quality and collaboration throughout the year. He described Forward Air as a dependable and solutions-driven partner, particularly during periods of market volatility and operational challenges within the logistics sector.
Forward Air operates as an asset-light transportation provider across the United States, Canada, and Latin America. The company delivers expedited less-than-truckload services, local pick-up and delivery, shipment consolidation and deconsolidation, warehousing, customs brokerage, truckload brokerage, dedicated fleet services, intermodal solutions, and drayage services linked to seaports and rail hubs. Through Omni Logistics, it also provides global multimodal transportation services spanning air, ocean, and ground freight for mission-critical shipments.
The 2026 Surface Carrier of the Year recognition reinforces Forward Air’s position as a trusted logistics partner supporting the air cargo ecosystem. Forward Air is a leading asset-light transportation and logistics provider serving customers across the United States, Canada, and Latin America. The company specialises in expedited less-than-truckload (LTL) services supported by a nationwide network of terminals that manage local pick-up and delivery, shipment consolidation and deconsolidation, warehousing, and customs brokerage. In addition to LTL services, Forward Air offers truckload brokerage solutions, including dedicated fleet operations, intermodal transport, and first- and last-mile logistics.
Its services also cover high-value drayage to and from seaports and railheads, along with dedicated contract logistics and Container Freight Station warehousing and handling. Through Omni Logistics, the company provides a comprehensive range of multimodal logistics solutions for both domestic and international shipments. Omni Logistics specialises in air, ocean, and ground transportation for time-sensitive and mission-critical freight. Together, these capabilities position Forward Air as a single, integrated logistics partner capable of managing complex shipping requirements across multiple modes of transport.
