Lufthansa Cuts 20,000 Flights Amid Rising Fuel Costs Due to Iran Conflict
Lufthansa, a major German airline, has announced the cancellation of 20,000 short-haul flights through October. This decision is a response to the escalating oil prices and potential jet fuel shortages caused by the ongoing conflict involving U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. The cancellations will primarily affect Lufthansa's hub airports in Frankfurt and Munich, as well as other European carriers under the Lufthansa Group, including Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, SWISS, and ITA Airways. The airline aims to save approximately 40,000 metric tons of jet fuel by cutting less profitable routes. The conflict has disrupted fuel supplies globally, particularly affecting the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for oil transport. The International Energy Agency has warned that Europe may face jet fuel shortages within weeks if the situation persists. 
