Lufthansa Cancels 20,000 Short-Haul Flights Amid Fuel Surge

Lufthansa, one of Europe's largest airlines, has announced the cancellation of approximately 20,000 short-haul flights from major hubs including Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Vienna, Brussels and Rome, starting this month and extending through October. The move, which began with 120 daily flights grounded on Monday, aims to conserve fuel amid soaring kerosene prices triggered by the ongoing conflict in Iran.

The airline attributed the cuts to significantly increased fuel costs, which have doubled since the escalation of tensions in the Middle East, particularly threats to the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for 20 percent of global oil and gas supplies. Lufthansa is accelerating the retirement of its 27-plane CityLine fleet, focusing reductions on less profitable European routes while preserving long-haul services. Affected passengers have been notified and offered refunds or rebookings under EU regulations. The carrier estimates the changes will save 40 million tons of jet fuel, though labor disputes have also contributed to initial disruptions.

The decision ripples across the aviation sector, with warnings of broader instability for summer travel. The International Energy Agency's...