Airlines slash summer flights
- Lufthansa Group is cutting 20,000 flights over the next six months because jet fuel costs have surged. - European jet fuel prices have roughly doubled and cheapest economy fares are reported about 24% higher year‑on‑year. - EU officials warn summer cancellations are “very likely,” so expect higher fares and schedule volatility for Europe and Asia ( ).
Lufthansa Group is cutting 20,000 short-haul flights through October as jet fuel prices surge and Europe braces for a volatile summer schedule. (apnews.com) The German airline group said the cuts target “unprofitable short-haul flights” and are expected to save more than 40,000 metric tons of fuel. Lufthansa said some reductions also stem from the closure of its CityLine regional subsidiary, a move decided on April 16 and implemented on April 18. (euronews.com, aviationweek.com) Lufthansa said the first 120 daily cancellations across the wider group will run through the end of May, and the carrier has already dropped Bydgoszcz, Rzeszów and Stavanger from its network. The group said the broader schedule trim amounts to about 1% of its usual summer capacity. (euronews.com) The pressure starts with fuel. Data cited by Lufthansa and Euronews put the weekly average price of jet fuel in Europe at $188 a barrel, up 106.5% from last year’s average. (euronews.com, iata.org) European officials are preparing for wider disruption. Reuters reported on April 21 that the European Union is drafting guidance for airlines on airport slots, passenger rights and public-service obligations if fuel shortages worsen. (usnews.com) Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, said there was no evidence of actual shortages yet, but stocks were “under pressure” in parts of Europe. He also said high fuel prices would not justify waiving passenger compensation for delays or cancellations. (usnews.com, euronews.com) The supply risk runs through the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route for oil and jet fuel. Reuters reported that the European Union imports 30% to 40% of its jet fuel needs, with about half of those imports coming from the Middle East. (usnews.com) Consumers are already seeing the impact in ticket prices. Research cited across multiple reports said the cheapest economy fares were running about 24% higher than a year earlier as airlines paid more for fuel and rerouted around conflict zones. (aol.com, independent.co.uk) Industry groups are asking regulators for emergency flexibility before the peak holiday rush. Airlines UK said carriers may need temporary fuel imports and relief from slot-use rules so they do not have to operate lightly booked flights just to keep airport takeoff and landing rights. (connexionfrance.com) For travelers, the near-term pattern is already visible: fewer short-haul options, higher fares and more pressure on busy hubs such as Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Vienna, Brussels and Rome as airlines protect long-haul routes. (euronews.com, connexionfrance.com)
