Lufthansa Reduces Short-Haul Flights Due to Fuel Price Surge
German airline Lufthansa announced it will reduce 20,000 short-haul flights over the summer, citing soaring fuel prices that have rendered many routes "unprofitable" for the company.
Since the onset of the US-Israel conflict involving Iran, jet fuel prices have doubled as the war has disrupted production and transportation across the Middle East.
Other airlines, including KLM-France and Delta, have also temporarily cut some flights, while some carriers have increased ticket prices to offset rising expenses.
Industry analysts have warned travelers to anticipate further ticket price increases and additional flight cancellations if the conflict persists.
Impact of Middle Eastern Conflict on Jet Fuel Supply
The Gulf region is a significant source of aviation fuel, supplying about 50% of Europe's imports. Most of this fuel passes through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively closed in response to US and Israeli military actions.
The rise in jet fuel prices highlights the critical role Middle Eastern refineries play in global supplies. For example, Kuwait's Al-Zour refinery alone accounts for approximately 10% of Europe's jet fuel imports, according to Energy Intelligence.
Last week, the International Energy Agency warned that Europe could face jet fuel shortages within weeks. However, the UK government and airlines have stated they have not yet observed any supply disruptions.
Lufthansa's Operational Adjustments
On Tuesday, Lufthansa confirmed it is scaling back its European network but assured that passengers will "continue to have access to the global route network, particularly long-haul connections."
"However, due to the increase in jet fuel prices, this will be achieved significantly more efficiently than before."
The airline noted that these measures will save "approximately 40,000 metric tons of jet fuel."
This announcement follows last week's statement from Lufthansa regarding the accelerated permanent closure of its European flight service CityLine.
The company also revealed plans to retire CityLine's 27 aircraft, attributing the decision partly to "significantly increased kerosene prices" and also to "additional burdens from labor disputes."
Lufthansa indicated that "the first 120" flight cuts were implemented on Tuesday, affecting routes such as those from Frankfurt to Poland and Norway.
