Lufthansa has announced a major reduction in its flight operations, confirming plans to cancel around 20,000 short-haul flights through October 2026 as the aviation sector grapples with sharply rising jet fuel prices triggered by the ongoing US-Iran conflict.

The German airline group said the decision is part of a broader network optimisation strategy aimed at managing soaring operational costs, with jet fuel prices reportedly more than doubling in recent months due to disruptions in global oil supply chains linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

According to Lufthansa, the cancellations will primarily affect unprofitable short-haul routes across its European network, including services operating through key hubs such as Frankfurt and Munich. The airline has also begun consolidating flights across its subsidiaries, including SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and ITA Airways, in an effort to maintain long-haul connectivity while reducing fuel-intensive regional operations.

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The impact of the cuts is expected to be significant for travellers across Europe, particularly on feeder routes connecting smaller cities to major international hubs. Destinations in Poland, Norway, and other intra-European sectors are among those either being removed or rerouted through alternative hubs as part of the revised schedule.

Industry analysts say the move reflects wider pressure on global airlines as energy markets remain volatile. The Strait of Hormuz disruption and broader instability in oil-producing regions have tightened supply, pushing up costs and forcing carriers to scale back capacity, especially on lower-margin routes.

While Lufthansa has assured passengers that long-haul connectivity will remain largely intact, the airline has warned that further schedule adjustments may follow depending on how fuel prices and geopolitical conditions evolve in the coming months.

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