Lufthansa Cuts 20,000 Summer Flights Amid Fuel Crisis

Lufthansa Group announced it will cancel 20,000 short-haul flights through October as soaring jet fuel prices and supply disruptions linked to the Iran war make many routes unprofitable. The cuts, primarily affecting hubs in Frankfurt and Munich, are expected to save 40,000 metric tons of jet fuel. The airline also plans to consolidate its European network, impacting subsidiaries like Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, SWISS, and ITA Airways. Meanwhile, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby warned of a 15%-20% price increase in ticket fares due to fuel shortages, though demand has not yet declined. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil chokepoint, remains partially closed, disrupting global fuel supplies. The International Energy Agency estimated Europe has only six weeks' worth of jet fuel remaining, raising concerns about further flight cancellations. Airlines are adopting measures like fuel surcharges and higher baggage fees to offset costs.