Lufthansa is facing a deepening operational challenge as the ongoing Gulf War pushes global fuel prices to record levels and threatens kerosene availability at major airports. The situation has forced the airline to reassess its near-term capacity and cost structure.
CEO Carsten Spohr admitted that the impact of the conflict is far greater than initially expected, with rising fuel costs putting significant pressure on airline profitability. The crisis is also creating uncertainty across global aviation supply chains, especially in fuel logistics.
In response, Lufthansa is evaluating a reduction of up to 5% in its total flight capacity, which could ground nearly 40 aircraft from its fleet of around 800 planes. The airline is also considering short-time work arrangements for employees in Germany as part of cost-control measures.
The developments highlight how geopolitical tensions continue to impact the aviation industry, with airlines worldwide closely monitoring fuel supply and pricing trends while adjusting operations to maintain financial stability.