Lufthansa said the first 120 daily flight cancellations took place earlier this week and will remain until the end of May. The airline has also closed its CityLine regional subsidiary as part of the cuts. Lufthansa has canceled 600 flights across Europe this week, affecting UK airports, according to multiple reports.
Broader airline cancellations and route changes are sweeping Europe. Lufthansa Group no longer offers flights to Bydgoszcz, Rzeszów, and Stavanger. British Airways is reducing flights to the Middle East, permanently dropping Jeddah, and adding capacity to India and Africa. Iberia Express has canceled flights to Tel Aviv through May 31, according to an IAG spokesperson. Norse Atlantic canceled its London Gatwick to Los Angeles route due to fuel fears, a spokesperson said. KLM is canceling 160 flights to and from Schiphol Airport in May due to rising kerosene costs. Beond Airlines has halted all services between the Maldives and Europe, and routes via Dubai, until October. Aer Lingus is canceling over 500 flights due to mandatory maintenance on aircraft, a spokesperson said.
We may be forced to cancel 5% to 10% of flights this summer.
Financial impacts are mounting. Lufthansa has secured approximately 80% of its kerosene requirements for 2026 and 40% for 2027 at pre-crisis price levels, a spokesperson confirmed. Virgin Atlantic has added a £50 levy to economy fares, £180 on premium, and £360 on first class. Tui has cut its full-year profit forecast due to uncertainty caused by the Iran conflict. The weekly average price of jet fuel in Europe is $188 per barrel, up 106.5% from last year, according to IATA.
The International Energy Agency warned Europe has six weeks' supply of jet fuel left, according to Fatih Birol. The EU is working to clarify passengers' rights and airlines' public service obligations amid jet fuel shortages, Reuters reported. European Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas said high fuel prices would not justify waiving passenger compensation.
I believe more cancellations are coming and it will affect Norwegians' travel plans.
Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary said the airline may be forced to cancel 5% to 10% of flights this summer. Ryanair has canceled thousands of flights due to staffing issues and French ATC strikes. The airline called on EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and certain EU governments to explain why they allowed another summer of record ATC failures, according to Ryanair research. Over 21 million Ryanair passengers had their travel plans delayed or canceled due to ATC failures so far this year, the airline said. Ryanair released an August 'ATC Delays League' showing France, Spain, Germany, UK, and Greece as the worst ATCs for delays and cancellations because their governments refuse to ensure proper staffing and management. Bulgaria, Denmark, Slovakia, Netherlands, and Belgium deliver efficient ATC services without mismanagement or staff shortages, Ryanair said. The airline has long called for EU reform of failing ATC services, but the EU Commission keeps ignoring the continuing ATC mismanagement and staff shortages. Ryanair invites passengers to visit the 'Air Traffic Control Ruined Your Flight' webpage to demand action from the EU Commission President and National Transport Ministers. O'Leary stated that another month of ATC mismanagement passed in August with zero action to fix failing ATC services by the EU Commission and National Transport Ministers. He added that France, Spain, Germany, the UK, and Greece could ensure their ATC services are fully staffed and efficiently managed but as complacent, protected state monopolies they have no incentive to care about delays or passengers.
Other cancellations and expert predictions add to the picture. According to NRK, travel expert Odd Roar Lange described that more cancellations are coming and it will affect Norwegians' travel plans. Visit Lofoten reports cancellations from groups unsure if flights will operate, according to Line Renate Samuelsen. The exact impact of the Iran conflict on jet fuel prices versus other factors remains unclear. It is also unknown how many of the 20,000 Lufthansa cancellations are already included in the 600 weekly cancellations. Whether the EU will take concrete action to address ATC delays or jet fuel shortages is uncertain.
Another month of ATC mismanagement passed in August with zero action to fix failing ATC services by the EU Commission and National Transport Ministers.