NEW YORK — Lufthansa Group is reducing its summer flight schedule, cutting approximately 20,000 short-haul services through October as part of a broader effort to manage rising fuel costs and streamline its European network.
The cancellations, largely tied to flights previously operated by Lufthansa CityLine, represent about 1% of the Group’s total capacity measured in available seat kilometres. The move is expected to save roughly 40,000 metric tons of jet fuel, the cost of which has doubled since the outbreak of the Iran conflict.
According to the company, the adjustments are aimed at removing unprofitable short-haul routes while maintaining connectivity across its global network. The consolidation is being implemented across the Group’s six main hubs in Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Vienna, Brussels and Rome.
Passengers will continue to have access to long-haul services, though the Group noted that “due to the increase in jet fuel prices, this will be achieved significantly more efficiently than before.” The changes also align with a broader strategy to consolidate European operations across its hub airlines, including Lufthansa Airlines, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and ITA Airways.
Initial schedule changes are already underway. The airline confirmed that “the first 120” daily flight cancellations were implemented on Tuesday, April 21, effective through the end of May, with affected passengers notified in advance. Routes from Frankfurt to Bydgoszcz and Rzeszów in Poland, along with Stavanger in Norway, have been temporarily removed from the schedule.
In addition, 10 connections are being consolidated through other hubs within the Group network, including routes linked to Heringsdorf, Cork, Gdańsk, Ljubljana, Rijeka, Sibiu, Stuttgart, Trondheim, Tivat and Wrocław.
Lufthansa Group said it is revising its medium-term route planning to reflect the reduced capacity, with an updated schedule expected in late April or early May. The revised plan will include further adjustments to short-haul offerings for the summer season, with the aim of maintaining schedule stability.
Despite ongoing volatility, the Group said it expects a largely stable fuel supply for summer operations and is implementing measures including physical fuel procurement and price hedging to mitigate risk.
As widely reported, the sharp rise in fuel costs is tied to ongoing conflict involving the U.S., Israel and Iran, which has disrupted production and transportation across the Middle East.
The region remains a critical supplier of aviation fuel to Europe, accounting for roughly half of imports. Much of that supply typically flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route that has been effectively restricted amid the conflict.
The impact is being felt across the aviation sector. Airlines including Air Canada, WestJet, Air France-KLM and Delta Air Lines have also trimmed schedules or raised fares as they respond to higher operating costs. Analysts warn that travellers could see further price increases and additional service reductions if the situation persists.
Recent warnings from the International Energy Agency have raised concerns about potential shortages, though government officials and airlines say there is currently no immediate disruption.
