Lufthansa Cuts 20,000 Flights as Fuel Crisis Forces Major Airline Shake-Up

German airline giant Lufthansa has announced it will cut 20,000 short-haul flights this summer as soaring jet fuel costs continue to hit the aviation industry.

The airline said the decision will help save around 40,000 tonnes of fuel, as it restructures operations and scales back unprofitable routes across Europe.

A major factor behind the cuts is the closure of its CityLine fleet, with 27 aircraft set to be retired. Lufthansa also pointed to rising fuel prices—more than doubling in recent months—and ongoing labour disputes as key pressures.

The global fuel crisis has been intensified by disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil supply route that has been partially blocked, limiting access to Middle Eastern energy exports.

Airlines worldwide are now grappling with higher operational costs, with budget carrier Ryanair warning of potential fuel supply disruptions if the situation persists.

Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has cautioned that shortages could begin impacting the industry as early as May, highlighting jet fuel availability as an immediate concern.

Meanwhile, the International Energy Agency has warned that Europe may have only weeks of jet fuel reserves remaining, raising further concerns about travel disruptions.

Despite the cuts, Lufthansa said passengers will still be able to access its global network, though some long-haul capacity will also be reduced later this year. The airline plans to retire several aircraft, including Boeing 747s and Airbus A340-600s, as part of its broader restructuring.

The impact is already being felt by consumers, with ticket prices rising as airlines pass on increased costs—signalling a challenging summer ahead for the travel industry.