Berlin, April 22 (SANA) Lufthansa announced it will cancel around 20,000 flights from its schedule amid a sharp rise in fuel costs and growing concerns over jet fuel (kerosene) supplies, highlighting mounting pressure on Europe’s aviation sector.
According to Germany’s Bild magazine, the airline said it has taken precautionary measures to scale back operations, planning to cancel up to 120 flights per day until the end of May. The total number of cancellations is expected to reach 20,000 by the end of October.
The company said the move is aimed at reducing fuel consumption by around 40,000 tons of kerosene, as prices have surged since the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East.
Lufthansa added that the cuts will mainly affect short-haul routes, which have become economically unviable under current conditions.
Separately, European Union Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen warned on Tuesday that the coming summer could be difficult for Europe due to fuel shortages linked to the US. Iranian war, and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
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