Jet Fuel Prices Surge, Lufthansa to Cancel 20,000 Short-Haul Flights

Berlin (ANTARA) - German airline Lufthansa said on Tuesday (21/4) that it will cancel 20,000 short-haul flights until October due to surging jet fuel prices.

Lufthansa stated that the move is expected to save around 40,000 tonnes of fuel after jet fuel prices doubled following the outbreak of war in Iran.

In a statement, Lufthansa said the schedule adjustment will reduce the number of “unprofitable short-haul flights” across the group’s network.

The company added that the first wave of cancellations, affecting 120 flights per day, will take effect from Monday (20/4) and will remain in place until the end of May.

This decision follows Lufthansa’s announcement on 16 April that it will permanently withdraw 27 operational aircraft from its Lufthansa CityLine unit starting 18 April.

The airline cited disruptions from strikes and surging fuel costs amid tensions in the Middle East as reasons, as it seeks to limit further losses at the loss-making carrier.

These measures are being taken amid growing concerns in Europe over fuel supply risks related to the conflict in the Middle East. Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA) Fatih Birol warned on Thursday (16/4) that Europe may have jet fuel stockpiles for only about six weeks if the current supply disruptions continue.