New York's spring art fairs—including Frieze, Tefaf, Independent, and Nada—are proceeding largely on schedule despite ongoing disruptions from the war in Iran. Airspace closures, reduced flights, rising fuel costs, and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz have strained global art logistics, forcing rerouting, last-minute cancellations, and cost increases of up to 2,500%. Logistics firms like Hasenkamp and Gander & White report that while shipments are still arriving, the system has become fragile, with clients prioritizing safety and resilience over speed.
This matters because it reveals how geopolitical instability is reshaping the art market's operational backbone. The shift from efficiency to resilience—with earlier bookings, longer buffer times, and more contingency planning—signals a permanent change in how art is transported globally. Although New York fairs have so far been spared major disruptions, the fragility of logistics networks could alter future planning for galleries, collectors, and fair organizers worldwide, making the art world more vulnerable to geopolitical shocks.