Major airline to CANCEL over 20k European flights amid jet fuel crisis

Lufthansa has confirmed the cancellations will be spread throughout the summer, lasting until October.

The decision is aimed at offsetting rising fuel costs, which have doubled in recent weeks due to the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important shipping routes.

Most of the affected flights are short-haul routes, and the airline said the vast majority were no longer profitable.

Major European hubs, including Frankfurt, Munich, Brussels, Rome, Zurich and Vienna, will all be impacted.

Lufthansa said ending these routes will save more than 40,000 metric tons of jet fuel.

The move follows the closure of its CityLine subsidiary and comes amid ongoing strike action, which has already led to hundreds of cancellations in recent weeks.

Lufthansa is not the only airline affected by the fuel crisis and regional instability.

United Airlines announced it will cut 5% of its schedule, while KLM has dropped about 160 flights for the coming month.

Rising fuel costs are also making holidays more expensive.

A recent study found the Iran conflict has added up to £77 per person to the price of long-haul flights from Europe, meaning a family of four could pay as much as £300 extra.

Virgin Atlantic has introduced a new fuel surcharge, with economy passengers paying an additional £50 and business passengers facing a £360 increase.

Air France and KLM, part of the same airline group, have also raised prices, with long-haul round trips now costing an extra £87.

Further cancellations from Lufthansa are expected to be confirmed by next month as the airline reviews its summer schedule.

We reported yesterday that Jet2 issued advice to passengers amid growing fears of a jet fuel shortage.

Travellers are being told to check flight updates before departure, with airlines warning that while there’s no immediate impact, shortages could emerge by early summer if supply routes remain blocked.