KLM trims European routes
KLM says it will cut some European routes because rising kerosene costs have made certain flights unprofitable. (euronews.com) The carrier’s move is one of several commercial responses to higher fuel prices reported across Europe. (wingsmagazine.com)
KLM said on Thursday it will cut 160 flights next month, trimming about 1% of its European schedule after higher kerosene costs pushed some routes into the red. (euronews.com) The carrier said a limited number of flights are “no longer profitable” at current fuel prices. The cuts come as KLM is already trying to lift margins under a broader savings plan aimed at improving its operating result by €450 million. (euronews.com) (news.klm.com) Fuel is one of the biggest airline costs, and IATA said on April 17 that Europe could start seeing cancellations by the end of May if jet fuel shortages deepen. The trade group said the problem is already disrupting parts of Asia. (iata.org 1) (iata.org 2) The squeeze has built quickly. Euronews reported jet fuel prices had climbed 95% since military strikes on Iran on February 28, while EUROCONTROL said average jet fuel prices in March were $4.57 a gallon, about double the level at the start of 2026. (euronews.com) (eurocontrol.int) KLM is not the only airline cutting back. Euronews reported that Scandinavian Airlines, or SAS, said earlier this month it would cancel at least 1,000 flights in April because of surging fuel prices, and Lufthansa is also reshaping regional operations as costs rise. (euronews.com 1) (euronews.com 2) The pressure lands on an airline that was already operating with thin room for error. KLM Group reported a 2025 operating result of €416 million on €13.2 billion in revenue, and said in February that “structural decisions” were still required to stabilize performance. (news.klm.com) Industry forecasts had assumed a calmer year. IATA said in December it expected average jet fuel prices to ease to $88 a barrel in 2026, but its weekly monitor showed the global average was still $197.83 a barrel last week even after a 5.3% drop from the week before. (iata.org 1) (iata.org 2) For travelers, the immediate effect is fewer options on marginal short-haul routes and more pressure on fares and schedules across Europe. KLM’s cuts are small in percentage terms, but they show how fast a fuel shock can move from the refinery market to the departures board. (euronews.com) (iata.org)
