Major airline scrapping 20,000 flights this summer season as a consequence of ongoing jet gas disaster
Lufthansa is slashing its flights schedule as fuel costs double due to the Iran conflict, sparking fears of holiday chaos and calls for an emergency UK fuel plan
German giant Lufthansa has confirmed it is slashing its schedule(Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Brits heading abroad this summer face a holiday nightmare as a major European airline prepares to axe 20,000 flights. German giant Lufthansa has confirmed it is slashing its schedule from next month through to October, blaming a surge in fuel prices that it says has made many short-haul routes unprofitable.
The drastic move follows the airline’s decision to retire its entire 27-plane CityLine fleet early as the aviation industry reels from the fallout of the Iran conflict. The cancellations are set to rock major travel hubs including Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Vienna, Brussels and Rome.
Lufthansa bosses revealed that the first 120 flights were grounded on Monday, citing “significantly increased kerosene prices” and “labour disputes.”
By scrapping the 20,000 trips, the airline hopes to save around 40,000 tons of jet fuel. It comes as industry experts warn that costs have doubled since the outbreak of the Iran conflict.
British carriers are now demanding for the government to step in with an emergency plan to prevent a total summer meltdown.
Trade body Airlines UK warned of an “immediate impact on the UK aviation sector and UK consumers” if supplies continue to dwindle.
The group is calling on ministers to build up emergency stockpiles by forcing oil refineries to increase their kerosene production.
They are also pushing for the government to allow the import of US-grade fuel and have requested a suspension of certain environmental regulations alongside tax cuts to help the sector absorb the surging costs.
The crisis stems from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, specifically the threat to the Strait of Hormuz, which is a vital artery for 20 per cent of the world’s oil and gas.
EU transport chief Apostolos Tzitzikostas warned that while there are no immediate shortages, a prolonged blockage would be “catastrophic” for the global economy.
He said: “If real supply issues arise, our emergency stocks must be put to best use. Any national release of fuel must be done in full transparency to avoid market distortions.”
Despite the Lufthansa cull, the EU insists there are no signs of widespread cancellations yet, with Tzitzikostas adding: “Europe is ready to welcome all the tourists and guests during the summer period.”
While flights are still running for now, IAG, the parent company of British Airways admitted that they are already facing rising fuel costs.
Meanwhile, the International Energy Agency has warned that physical fuel shortages could kick in as early as June.
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