[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] Lufthansa will cancel approximately 20,000 short-haul flights through October as aviation fuel prices surge in the wake of the Middle East conflict, signaling broader capacity cuts across Europe’s airline industry.

On April 21 (local time), the German flag carrier said it will suspend or adjust certain European short-haul routes operated by its subsidiary Lufthansa CityLine to reduce fuel consumption. The company has already notified passengers of schedule changes for flights through the end of May.

Lufthansa said jet fuel prices have nearly doubled since the outbreak of the Middle East conflict, and expects the measures to reduce the group’s total flight capacity by around 1% while saving approximately 40,000 tons of fuel.

CityLine operates short-haul routes connecting Frankfurt with major European cities. Lufthansa had previously planned to wind down the unit by next year due to high operating costs and replace it with a new subsidiary.

However, soaring fuel costs combined with labor strike pressures have accelerated restructuring efforts. The company is also moving to retire 27 Bombardier CRJ aircraft from the CityLine fleet ahead of schedule due to lower fuel efficiency.

European airlines are increasingly scaling back operations as concerns grow over supply disruptions and price spikes linked to potential blockades of the Strait of Hormuz. Scandinavian Airlines has canceled about 1,000 flights this month alone, while KLM plans to suspend around 160 European flights next month.

Lufthansa said it has already secured sufficient fuel supplies for the coming weeks. However, Fatih Birol, head of the International Energy Agency, warned on April 16 that remaining jet fuel inventories in Europe could cover only around six weeks.

In contrast, German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche downplayed concerns, saying Europe could endure up to five months even in the event of supply disruptions, citing strategic reserves.

 

 

 

[ⓒ 알파경제. 무단전재-재배포 금지]