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Lufthansa cuts 20,000 flights as Iran war causes jet fuel shortage

Lufthansa has announced it will cancel 20,000 short-haul flights between May and October to save jet fuel, as prices have more than doubled since the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran. The crisis has prompted airlines across Europe to introduce surcharges and raise fares, while experts warn of potential supply shortages.

By Tertius News AI Desk 5 outlets · 8 articles Version 1 Coverage Apr 22 – May 14, 2026 Published Aug 15

Lead

Lufthansa, Germany's largest carrier, has announced it will cut 20,000 short-haul flights between May and October in response to soaring jet fuel prices linked to the US-Israeli war on Iran. The airline said the measure would save approximately 40,000 metric tons of jet fuel, the price of which has doubled since the outbreak of the conflict, as reported by several outlets including Al Jazeera, BBC, and Deutsche Welle.

The cuts, which affect less profitable routes, will see the airline focus on flights to and from its hub airports in Frankfurt and Munich. The company said passengers will "continue to have access to the global route network, particularly long-haul connections," but added that "due to the increase in jet fuel prices, this will be achieved significantly more efficiently than before."

Coverage Comparison

Reports from Al Jazeera, BBC, and Deutsche Welle agree on the core facts: Lufthansa's decision to cut 20,000 flights is a direct response to fuel prices that have more than doubled since the US and Israel first attacked Iran in February. The BBC noted that the airline described many of the affected journeys as "unprofitable," while Al Jazeera emphasized the company's plan to concentrate on its Frankfurt and Munich hubs.

Deutsche Welle offered additional context, reporting that jet fuel prices in Europe rose from about €68.27 ($80) per barrel in February to €153.84 ($180) at the end of April, according to the International Air Transport Association. The outlet also quoted Marina Efthymiou, an aviation management professor at Dublin City University, who warned that fuel prices represent 25% to 50% of an airline's total operating expenses and that airlines that have not hedged could face bankruptcy.

The Guardian, in two separate reports, focused on the broader impact on travellers and businesses. One report cited the head of the International Air Transport Association, Willie Walsh, saying that fare increases for travellers in Europe are "inevitable" over the peak summer period because carriers cannot absorb the extra costs in the long run. Another Guardian report highlighted that airlines and other companies are increasingly using fuel surcharges, contributing to businesses raising prices at the fastest pace in more than three years in April.

TASS, the Russian state news agency, reported on the global scale of the crisis, citing Russian Presidential Special Representative Kirill Dmitriev, who claimed that 12,000 flights were cancelled in May due to the global aviation crisis caused by rising fuel prices and escalating tensions on the energy market. This figure appears to be based on data from The Kobeissi Letter, which cited Financial Times data showing airlines had reduced available seats by 2 million and cut 12,000 flights scheduled for May over a two-week period.

Key Claims

Several distinct claims emerge from the coverage:

Lufthansa's flight cuts: Multiple sources confirm that Lufthansa will cut 20,000 short-haul flights between May and October, saving approximately 40,000 metric tons of jet fuel. The airline has also accelerated the grounding of 27 aircraft in its CityLine subsidiary, partly due to "significantly increased kerosene prices" and "additional burdens from labor disputes."

Fuel price surge: Jet fuel prices have more than doubled since the US and Israel first attacked Iran in February, according to multiple reports. Deutsche Welle cited IATA data showing European prices rising from €68.27 per barrel in February to €153.84 at the end of April. Al Jazeera, citing the Associated Press, reported the global price increased from about $99 per barrel at the end of February to as high as $209 at the beginning of April.

Supply concerns: The head of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol, has warned that Europe has about six weeks of jet fuel left, according to Deutsche Welle. However, the Dutch government has estimated the EU has enough kerosene for at least five months, indicating disagreement over supply timelines. The EU's Energy Commissioner, Dan Jørgensen, said the crisis was moving from one of high prices "towards a crisis of supply."

Causes: The crisis is attributed to the US-Israeli war on Iran and the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz by both Iran and the US at different points. The strait is a key waterway for a fifth of the world's oil and gas tankers. Around 75% of Europe's jet fuel imports come from the Middle East, according to Al Jazeera, while the BBC reported that the Gulf accounts for about 50% of Europe's imports.

Ripple effects: Airlines are introducing fuel surcharges and raising ticket prices. Air France-KLM has reportedly imposed a surcharge of €100 on long-haul flights, while Virgin Atlantic has added a charge of £360 to business class tickets and £50 for economy. Scandinavian Airlines will cancel around 1,000 flights. Willie Walsh warned that fare increases are inevitable, and that even if the Strait of Hormuz reopened, the impact could be felt into next year.

Differing figures: While most sources report Lufthansa cutting 20,000 flights, TASS reported a global figure of 12,000 flights cancelled in May, based on data from The Kobeissi Letter. This discrepancy may reflect different time frames or scopes of reporting.

Perspectives

Lufthansa: The airline states it is cutting flights to save fuel and ensure operational stability, saying it has secured enough jet fuel "for the coming weeks" and is pursuing measures including "the physical procurement of jet fuel" to maintain supply for the summer.

International Air Transport Association (IATA): Willie Walsh says there is no need to panic over potential jet fuel shortages this summer and believes widespread cancellations can be avoided, but insists that fare increases are inevitable as carriers cannot absorb the costs.

International Energy Agency (IEA): Fatih Birol warns that Europe may have as little as six weeks of jet fuel supply left, while the EU's Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen says the crisis is moving towards a supply shortage.

Dutch government: The government estimates the EU has enough kerosene for jet fuel and other purposes for at least five months, indicating a less dire supply outlook than the IEA's warning.

TASS/Russian officials: Kirill Dmitriev frames the crisis as a "global aviation shock" that is a harbinger of more severe disruptions in other sectors, linking it to rising oil prices and Middle East tensions.

Analysts and academics: Marina Efthymiou warns that high fuel prices could bankrupt airlines that have not hedged; Andrew Charlton says fuel supplies are currently sufficient but there is uncertainty about the future.