KLM is canceling 160 flights to and from Schiphol over the coming month. SAS Scandinavia, meanwhile, is scrapping at least 1,000 flights from its schedule. These are just a few examples of European airlines already canceling flights due to higher costs and concerns about kerosene supply amid a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz that is prolonging the crisis.

The head of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol, also issued a warning that Europe may have only six weeks’ worth of jet fuel left. “We will soon hear news that some flights from city A to city B are being canceled due to a kerosene shortage,” he said.

And Willie Walsh, CEO of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), also estimates that Europe could face flight cancellations by the end of May due to jet fuel shortages. He points, for example, to Asia, where shortages in parts of the continent have already led to flight cancellations due to a lack of jet fuel.

The most significant development in this regard is the news that Lufthansa is suspending flights operated by its regional subsidiary, Lufthansa CityLine, due to high fuel costs and strikes, with the 27 aircraft of the loss-making division being permanently removed from the flight schedule.

Stock is decreasing much faster than usual

The European Commission also expressed concern earlier this week that problems with the supply of aviation fuel could arise “in the near future.” “There are currently no indications of shortages in the European Union,” said a spokesperson, “but supply problems could arise in the near future, particularly with regard to aviation fuel.”

According to the spokesperson, crude oil supply to European refineries remains stable for now, and no additional stocks need to be released. The refineries cover about 70% of European kerosene consumption; the rest is imported.

However, since early March, stocks in the ports of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Antwerp have fallen by about a quarter – a much faster decline than usual.

The price of kerosene has nearly doubled

Meanwhile, European airlines, united under A4E, are urging the Commission to implement direct European monitoring of kerosene stock and joint fuel purchases. A43 is also advocating for financial relief. For instance, the umbrella organization is calling for a temporary suspension of emissions trading and the elimination of certain taxes.

The German aviation umbrella organization BDL, for its part, wants the German government to take emergency measures to prevent flight cancellations ahead of the busy summer season. Among other things, the association is calling for access to NATO’s pipeline system to bolster fuel supplies at major hubs such as Frankfurt and Munich, as well as for a temporary reduction in CO2 taxes for airlines.

The price of kerosene has nearly doubled since the start of the war. Last week, the benchmark European jet fuel price hit an all-time high of $1,838 per tonne, compared with $831 before the war began.

No shortages at Brussels Airlines and KLM

According to Brussels Airlines and Brussels Airport, which is fully supplied via the NATO pipeline that transports kerosene from refineries in Antwerp and Rotterdam, there are currently no indications of fuel shortages. The airports in Charleroi and Liège are also not experiencing any supply issues.

KLM also insists it currently has no shortage of jet fuel, although it is canceling 80 round-trip flights within Europe over the coming month —including routes to London and Düsseldorf — due to rising fuel costs. According to KLM, these flights can no longer be operated profitably due to the rising jet fuel costs.

However, the Hungarian low-cost airline Wizz Air faced fuel shortages at three Italian airports on Friday. “It was all resolved within a day, and in some cases within a few hours, without us having to cancel any flights,” said Wizz Air, but it is a warning sign that the situation in some places is precarious and can only worsen if the conflict with Iran continues.

Lufthansa will not replace CityLine after all

At Lufthansa, nevertheless, the measures are even more drastic. Starting Saturday, the German airline will permanently ground the 27 aircraft operated by its subsidiary Lufthansa CityLine. These are 27 Bombardier Canadair CRJ aircraft. They are nearing the end of their operational lifespan and incur relatively higher operating costs.

In other words, Lufthansa is immediately shutting down the loss-making regional airline CityLine. Previously, there had been talk of winding up the subsidiary by the end of 2026 and replacing it with a similar airline.

Rising kerosene costs are a factor here, but so are strike-related costs. Lufthansa is currently embroiled in a major labor dispute in Germany, resulting in numerous flight cancellations.

The goal remains to enable Lufthansa CityLine crews to have options for a professional perspective within the Lufthansa Group, although discussions will be initiated with the employee representatives regarding a reconciliation of interests and a social plan.

11 aircraft are being removed from the fleet

But Lufthansa is also taking further measures. For example, at the end of the summer flight schedule, long-haul capacity will be reduced by six intercontinental aircraft. To this end, the last four remaining Airbus A340-600s will leave the fleet in October, bringing the era of this aircraft type at Lufthansa to a definitive end. Two Boeing 747-400s will also be grounded from October onwards for the coming winter. The final farewell to this aircraft type is planned for next year.

And during the 2026-2027 winter season, capacity for short- and medium-haul routes will be reduced by five aircraft. “Due to the significant rise in fuel prices, as well as increasing additional costs resulting from labor disputes, the implementation of the corporate strategy is being partially accelerated.”

In other words, the company has now decided on an initial package of measures to reduce the flight schedule, including removing older, higher-fuel-consumption aircraft from the fleet more quickly.

Lufthansa also announced plans to further reduce its administrative costs, with savings on “recruitment, internal events and external consulting services”, which will complement the already announced plan to eliminate 4,000 administrative positions within the group by 2030.