Deutsche Lufthansa AG has announced a major reduction in its flight schedule, cutting 20,000 short-haul flights from its European summer operations as fuel costs surge amid the ongoing Iran conflict, NDTV reported.
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Flight cuts to offset rising fuel costs
The airline group said the decision targets uneconomic routes, with jet fuel prices having doubled since the start of the conflict. The reductions will account for around 1 per cent of available seat-kilometers and are expected to save approximately 40,000 tons of jet fuel.
This follows a series of cost-cutting steps taken by Lufthansa, including the closure of its Cityline regional unit and the grounding of 27 older, fuel-intensive aircraft.
Gradual rollout of cancellations
Initial cancellations have already begun, with the first 120 flights scrapped on Tuesday. These cuts are reportedly set to remain in place until the end of May.
Further reductions covering the rest of the summer schedule are expected to be announced by late April or early May, as the airline continues to adjust operations in response to volatile fuel prices.
Wider impact on global aviation
The impact of rising fuel costs is being felt across the aviation sector. Data from Cirium Ltd. shows that global airline capacity for May has already been reduced by about 3 percentage points.
Most of the world's top 20 airlines have trimmed their schedules, with industry projections now shifting. Earlier expectations of 4 per cent to 6 per cent growth have been revised, with a potential decline of up to 3 per cent under certain conditions.
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Cost-cutting and restructuring plans
Alongside operational changes, Lufthansa is pursuing longer-term restructuring efforts. The airline plans to cut 4,000 administrative jobs by 2030 as part of a broader strategy to improve profitability.
It is also shifting more short-haul operations to lower-cost units such as City Airlines and Discover, where crew expenses can be significantly lower than at the main carrier.
The move reflects mounting pressure on airlines navigating rising costs and ongoing uncertainty in global markets.
