Hope You Don’t Have Summer Plans in Europe: Lufthansa Cuts 20K Flights As Europe Fuel Shortage Worries Mount

US airlines have warned of higher fares this summer, thanks to the impact the Middle Eastern conflict is having on fuel costs. Global jet fuel prices are up 70%, according to the WSJ. As a result, some markets might not have fares at all — travelers may only find canceled flights as airlines prune their least profitable routes.

• Lufthansa — Germany’s largest airline — announced it would cut 20K short-haul flights as Europe braces for a prolonged jet fuel shortage.
• The International Energy Agency (IEA) warns Europe has “only six weeks of fuel reserves left,” prompting similar schedule changes by British Airways, SAS, and others.

The cuts are growing: While most of the changes are affecting shorter routes across Europe and Asia, the impact is global. Newsweek reports that 150K international flights were cut between March and June compared to before the War. The US, which produces the vast majority of its own jet fuel, hasn’t felt it as sharply — but domestic airline CEOs have still warned of capacity reductions this summer.