Lufthansa cuts 20,000 summer flights as fuel prices surge

The airline is the latest to cut flights as the US-Israel war with Iran sends jet fuel prices soaring. Lufthansa cuts 20,000 summer flights as fuel prices surge Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Parked Lufthansa aircraft are lined up at Frankfurt Airport on April 13, 2026. German airline Lufthansa will cut 20,000 short-haul flights over the summer, saying soaring fuel prices have made many journeys "unprofitable" for the firm. Jet fuel has doubled in price since the start of the US-Israel war with Iran as the conflict has slowed its production and transportation across the Middle East. Several airlines, including KLM-France and Delta, have also temporarily cut some flights while others have raised ticket prices as they pass on expenses to customers. Several airlines, including KLM-France and Delta, Analysts have warned that travellers should expect further ticket price rises and more cancelled flights as the conflict continues. Young woman wearing blue jeans, a grey trenchcoat and white trainers sits on her suitcase at an airport, clutching her passport and ticket Airlines cut flights and hike fares as fuel prices surge The Gulf is a major source of aviation fuel, accounting for about 50% of Europe's imports. The bulk of it comes through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively closed in response to US and Israeli attacks. The increase in jet fuel prices reflects the role Middle Eastern refineries play in supplies. The Al-Zour refinery in Kuwait alone provides roughly 10% of Europe's jet fuel imports, according to Energy Intelligence. The International Energy Agency warned last week that Europe could run out of jet fuel in weeks, though the UK government and airlines say they are not seeing a disruption in supply. The International Energy Agency warned last week that Europe could run out of jet fuel in weeks , though the UK government and airlines say they are not seeing a disruption in supply. Lufthansa said on Tuesday it was cutting down its European network, but that passengers will "continue to have access to the global route network, particularly long-haul connections". "However, due to the increase in jet fuel prices, this will be achieved significantly more efficiently than before." It said this would save "approximately 40,000 metric tons of jet fuel". The announcement on Tuesday comes after the firm said last week it was speeding up the permanent closure of its European flight offering CityLine. It also said at the time it was retiring the programme's 27 aircraft, partly due to "significantly increased kerosene prices", but also because of "additional burdens from labor disputes". Lufthansa said "the first 120" of these flight cuts were implemented on Tuesday. Routes affected include those from Frankfurt to Poland and Norway. Have you been impacted by the issues discussed in this story? Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways: Email: yourvoice@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 7756 165803 Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay And you can send us a video note via  WhatsApp or by  using this link .   A woman with luggage stands with her back to the camera looking at a plane through a window. Europe has 'maybe six weeks of jet fuel left', energy boss warns A woman wearing a dark turquoise top is seen from behind, standing looking at an airport departures board. She is holding her passport and boarding pass Air fares soar by nearly 25% as Iran war forces flights to re-route A BBC investigation in 2023 heard from more than 100 McDonald's workers in the UK claiming they faced sexual assault, harassment, racism, and bullying The figures provide the first official look at the impact of the Iran war on the cost of living in the UK. The drop has been largely driven by a rise in the number of people not actively seeking work. NI Affairs Committee told even if conflict ends immediately it will take time for supply chains to return to normal. The president also said the US will continue to blockade Iran's ports until peace talks progress. Malaysia-based Karex produces more than five billion condoms a year and supplies global brands like Durex and Trojan. The Manx treasury says plans are in place to protect essential services in the wake of the Iran war. The charity in East Anglia says any supply issues could endanger patients.