Lufthansa cancels 20,000 flights to save jet fuel

Lufthansa announced it is canceling 20,000 short-haul flights through October to save approximately 40,000 metric tons of jet fuel, according to a company statement. Jet fuel prices have doubled since the outbreak of the Iran conflict, as reported by multiple major media outlets. The cancellations target unprofitable short-haul flights across Lufthansa Group's six hubs: Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Vienna, Brussels, and Rome, according to multiple reports. The first 120 daily flight cancellations took place earlier this week and will remain until the end of May, according to multiple reports. Lufthansa no longer offers flights to Bydgoszcz, Rzeszów, and Stavanger, as confirmed by 15 major media sources.

Broader airline cancellations and fuel surcharges are spreading across Europe. British Airways is reducing flights to the Middle East, permanently dropping Jeddah, and adding capacity to India and Africa, according to three major media sources. Iberia Express has canceled flights to Tel Aviv through May 31, an IAG spokesperson said. Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary said the airline may cancel 5% to 10% of flights in May, June, and July. Virgin Atlantic has added a £50 levy to economy fares, £180 on premium, and £360 on first class, according to three major media sources. Tui has cut its full-year profit forecast due to uncertainty caused by the Iran conflict, as reported by three major media sources. 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, according to 15 major media sources. Aer Lingus is canceling more than 500 flights due to mandatory maintenance and schedule adjustments, a spokesperson said. Beond Airlines has halted all services between the Maldives and Europe, and routes via Dubai, until October, according to 15 major media sources.

Ryanair faces a dual crisis of fuel costs and air traffic control failures. Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary said the airline may cancel 5% to 10% of flights in May, June, and July due to fuel costs. Separately, Ryanair has canceled thousands of flights in 2025 due to French ATC strikes and staffing issues, O'Leary said. According to Ryanair, ATC failures delayed or cancelled travel plans of over 21 million Ryanair passengers so far this year. Ryanair called on EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and certain EU governments to explain why they have allowed another summer of record ATC failures, according to a Ryanair statement. The airline identified France, Spain, Germany, UK, and Greece as the worst ATCs for delays or cancellations because their governments refuse to ensure proper staffing and management, according to Ryanair. In contrast, Bulgaria, Denmark, Slovakia, Netherlands, and Belgium deliver efficient ATC service without mismanagement or staff shortages, according to Ryanair. Ryanair has long called for EU reform of failing ATC services, but the EU Commission keeps ignoring the mismanagement and staff shortages, the airline said. Ryanair invites passengers to visit the 'Air Traffic Control Ruined Your Flight' webpage to demand action. O'Leary stated that another month of ATC mismanagement has passed with zero action from the EU Commission and National Transport Ministers. He added that France, Spain, Germany, UK, and Greece could ensure their ATC services are fully staffed and efficiently managed but have no incentive as complacent, protected state monopolies.

Governments and the EU are responding to the aviation crisis. The EU is working to clarify passengers' rights and airlines' public service obligations amid jet fuel shortages, according to a Reuters report. European Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas said high fuel prices would not justify waiving passenger compensation for delays or cancellations. The UK Prime Minister discussed contingency planning with fuel suppliers and airlines to ease pressures from the Iran conflict, a government spokesperson said.

The impact on Norway is significant, particularly for oil workers and tourism. The cancellation of Frankfurt flights from Stavanger affects oil industry workers in Norway, according to two major media sources. According to NRK, Christine Sagen Helgø, director of NHO Rogaland, described that 90% of businesses in Rogaland believe the Iran war will affect them. According to NRK, travel expert Odd Roar Lange described that more cancellations will follow and that the Lufthansa cuts equal two months of departures from Oslo Airport. Visit Lofoten reports that some tourism businesses have received cancellations due to flight uncertainty, according to Line Renate Samuelsen.

Lufthansa has hedged approximately 80% of its kerosene requirements for 2026 and 40% for 2027 at pre-crisis price levels, a spokesperson said. The International Energy Agency (IEA) warned Europe has six weeks' supply of jet fuel left and flights could be canceled soon if oil supplies remain restricted, according to Fatih Birol, IEA executive director.

There are contradictions in the data on Lufthansa's flight cancellations. Lufthansa has canceled 600 flights across Europe this week, affecting UK airports, according to 15 major media sources. However, the airline also stated it is canceling 120 daily flights, which would amount to 840 per week. The discrepancy suggests different timeframes or counting methods. Additionally, Ryanair's cancellations are attributed to both fuel costs (potential 5-10% in May-July) and ATC strikes (thousands already in 2025), which could confuse readers about the primary driver.

Several unknowns remain. It is unclear how many of Lufthansa's 20,000 canceled flights are due to fuel costs versus other operational reasons. The exact current jet fuel price and its comparison to pre-conflict levels have not been confirmed. It is also unknown whether the EU will implement any emergency measures to mitigate jet fuel shortages or protect passenger rights. The total number of flights canceled across all airlines due to the Iran conflict has not been tallied, and the actual impact of ATC delays versus fuel costs on Ryanair's cancellations remains uncertain.