Lufthansa Group. Photo: Lufthansa Group Lufthansa Group has announced adjustments to its summer flight schedule due to the fuel price crisis. Europe's largest airline group will reduce its total capacity in terms of available seats by less than 1%.
As part of the move, approximately 20,000 short-haul flights will be canceled by October, and operations on unprofitable routes from the Frankfurt and Munich hubs will be discontinued.
In addition, the group plans to expand existing routes from other hubs, including Zurich, Vienna and Brussels. The adjustments are expected to save more than 40,000 tons of jet fuel, amid a sharp increase in fuel prices since the outbreak of the conflict in Iran.
The group is adjusting its route network in six major hubs: Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Vienna, Brussels and Rome. Despite reductions in short-haul flights, the company notes that its international route network, especially long-haul routes, will be maintained.
The move also includes the acceleration of strategic processes among group companies, including Lufthansa Airlines, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and ITA Airways, with the aim of streamlining the European network's operations.
During phase one, approximately 120 daily flights will be canceled by the end of May. Passengers have already been notified in advance. Among the temporarily canceled routes are flights from Frankfurt to several destinations in Poland and Norway. In addition, 10 flights were transferred to be operated through other hubs in the group.
The company notes that a broader update to the flight schedule for the summer months is expected to be published soon, and will include additional adjustments to the short-haul flight routes with the aim of improving the stability of the flight schedule.
Despite the changes, Lufthansa estimates that fuel supply for summer flights will remain stable, partly thanks to measures taken in advance.