Lufthansa to Cut 20,000 European Short-Haul Flights as Middle East Conflict Drives Jet Fuel Prices to Crisis

German aviation giant Lufthansa has announced plans to cut 20,000 short-haul flights across Europe this summer, citing surging jet fuel prices that have rendered many routes financially unviable. The move underscores the growing strain on the aviation sector as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East disrupt global energy markets.

Jet fuel prices have reportedly doubled since the onset of the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. The situation has significantly impacted fuel production and transportation across the region, particularly as critical supply routes face disruption. A key chokepoint is the Strait of Hormuz, through which a substantial portion of the world’s oil and aviation fuel passes. Iran’s effective closure of this route in response to military actions has intensified supply concerns.

Lufthansa stated that the flight reductions are expected to save approximately 40,000 metric tons of jet fuel. Most of the affected services will come from its regional subsidiary, CityLine, which operates a large share of the airline’s European short-haul network. As a result, several destinations—including Heringsdorf, Cork, Gdańsk, Ljubljana, Rijeka, Sibiu, Stuttgart, Trondheim, Tivat, and Wrocław—will see temporary suspensions.

Passengers impacted by the cancellations will be offered refunds or rebooked on alternative flights within Lufthansa’s broader airline group. This includes carriers such as SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and ITA Airways. However, the airline has indicated that some of these route suspensions could become permanent as it reevaluates its European operations.

The crisis is not limited to Lufthansa. Other major carriers, including Air France-KLM and Delta Air Lines, have also scaled back flight schedules or raised ticket prices to offset rising operational costs. Industry analysts warn that travelers should brace for continued disruption, including higher fares and additional cancellations, if fuel prices remain elevated.

Europe is particularly vulnerable due to its reliance on imported aviation fuel, with around half of its supply originating from the Gulf region. The ongoing conflict has therefore exposed structural weaknesses in the continent’s energy supply chain.

The International Energy Agency recently issued a stark warning that Europe could face jet fuel shortages within weeks if the situation does not stabilize. Despite this, some governments and airlines, including those in the UK, have stated they are not yet experiencing immediate supply disruptions.

In response to the growing uncertainty, the European Union has announced the creation of a fuel observatory. This initiative aims to monitor production, imports, exports, and stock levels of transport fuels across the bloc. Officials hope that improved transparency will help mitigate the impact of high prices and potential shortages on the aviation sector.

Lufthansa emphasized that while it is scaling back its European network, its long-haul operations will remain largely intact. The airline said passengers will continue to have access to its global routes, though operations will be conducted “significantly more efficiently” in light of current cost pressures.

The announcement follows a broader restructuring effort within the company. Just last week, Lufthansa revealed it would accelerate the closure of its CityLine unit, retiring 27 aircraft. The decision was attributed not only to rising fuel costs but also to ongoing labor disputes that have added further financial strain.