German airline giant Lufthansa announced Tuesday it will cut 20,000 short-haul flights this summer, citing skyrocketing fuel prices that have rendered many routes economically unsustainable.
Jet fuel costs have doubled since the outbreak of the US-Israel conflict with Iran, disrupting production and transportation across the Middle East—a region that supplies approximately half of Europe's aviation fuel imports. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping channel, has been effectively closed by Iran in response to military actions, severely constraining supply chains.
"Due to the increase in jet fuel prices, this will be achieved significantly more efficiently than before," Lufthansa stated, noting the cuts will save roughly 40,000 metric tons of fuel.
Other major carriers, including KLM-France and Delta, have also temporarily reduced services or raised fares to offset expenses, with analysts warning travelers to brace for more cancellations and higher ticket prices as the conflict persists. The International Energy Agency recently cautioned that Europe could deplete its jet fuel reserves within weeks, though UK authorities and airlines maintain that immediate supply disruptions have not yet materialized.
Lufthansa emphasized that its global long-haul network remains intact, but European routes—particularly from Frankfurt to destinations in Poland and Norway—will see significant reductions. The airline had already accelerated the permanent closure of its CityLine subsidiary last week, retiring 27 aircraft partly due to fuel costs and ongoing labor disputes.
As the aviation industry grapples with what one energy expert called "maybe six weeks of jet fuel left," passengers face a summer of uncertainty, with the ripple effects of geopolitical tensions reshaping travel plans across the continent.