Lufthansa cuts 20,000 flights as jet fuel prices rise amid the Iran war. (File image) Europe’s largest airline group, Deutsche Lufthansa AG, has announced sweeping cuts to its summer schedule, removing thousands of short-haul flights as soaring fuel costs reshape aviation economics. The decision follows a sharp rise in jet fuel prices triggered by the ongoing Iran war, forcing carriers to reassess capacity and profitability. Lufthansa confirmed it will eliminate around 20,000 flights from its European summer timetable, targeting routes deemed financially unviable under current fuel price conditions. The airline said the reduction represents roughly 1 per cent of its available seat capacity and is expected to save nearly 40,000 tons of jet fuel, according to a Bloomberg report. The move comes as fuel prices have doubled since the conflict began, significantly increasing operational expenses for airlines worldwide. Lufthansa has acted aggressively compared to peers, aiming to protect margins while navigating a volatile cost environment. The airline has already begun implementing the changes, with the first 120 cancellations rolled out immediately. These initial adjustments will remain in place through the end of May, while broader cuts for the rest of the summer schedule are expected to be detailed by late April or early May. In parallel, Lufthansa recently announced the closure of its Cityline regional unit and grounded 27 older aircraft known for higher fuel consumption. These steps highlight a broader strategy to streamline operations and improve efficiency. The impact of rising fuel prices is not limited to Lufthansa. According to data from Cirium Ltd., global airline capacity for May has already been reduced by about 3 percentage points. Nearly all of the world’s top 20 airlines have scaled back operations. The firm has also revised its growth outlook for the aviation sector, shifting from an earlier projection of 4 per cent to 6 per cent expansion to a scenario where capacity could shrink by as much as 3 per cent under adverse conditions. Beyond immediate schedule reductions, Lufthansa is pursuing structural changes to improve long-term profitability. The airline plans to cut 4,000 administrative roles by 2030 and shift more short-haul operations to lower-cost subsidiaries such as City Airlines and Discover. These units reportedly operate with crew costs up to 40 per cent lower than the mainline carrier. She is working as a Chief Copy Editor at Times Now’s Business Desk, where she covers key developments in the stock market, Indian corporates across se... View More