Lufthansa, a prominent European airline, has decided to cancel a substantial number of flights in the upcoming months, following a trend set by numerous other airlines. The German airline is set to eliminate 20,000 planned flights from its schedule, marking one of the most significant flight cancellations in the global aviation industry. This move comes as the travel crisis worsens and jet fuel prices experience a sharp increase.
To cut down on fuel costs, Lufthansa will be axing a large number of flights between May and October. The airline disclosed this mass cancellation through an official statement released on Tuesday, April 21. Approximately 40,000 metric tonnes of jet fuel will be saved by removing these 20,000 short-haul flights, as the price of jet fuel has doubled since the start of the Iran conflict.
The airline’s statement highlighted that the restructuring of its European network will focus on its six major hubs in Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Vienna, Brussels, and Rome. Despite the cancellations, passengers will still have access to the global route network, particularly for long-haul connections, in a more efficient manner due to the surge in jet fuel prices.
In addition to the long-term flight cancellations, Lufthansa has already scrapped around 120 daily flights starting from Monday, April 20. The airline plans to release its summer travel schedule towards the end of April or early May, which will include enhancements to the short-haul services for the entire season to ensure a stable flight plan.
The decision by Lufthansa to cut back on flights aligns with the recent warning from the head of the International Energy Agency, who stated that Europe may have a limited supply of jet fuel left. This scenario has led to multiple airlines worldwide canceling flights and implementing new fees, reflecting the impact of the jet fuel crisis on the global aviation sector.
Lufthansa is among more than 30 airlines globally that have been compelled to cancel flights or impose additional charges as a consequence of the geopolitical tensions involving the United States and Iran.