• Lufthansa to cut 20,000 flights through October due to jet fuel shortages.
• Jet fuel prices have more than doubled since the Iran conflict escalated.
• Airlines in Europe may face further reductions in flight schedules.
• Energy experts warn of possible long-term jet fuel shortages in Europe.
• The European aviation industry relies significantly on imports from the Middle East.

The Lufthansa Group has announced it will cut 20,000 short-haul flights through October as the ongoing conflict in Iran increases jet fuel prices and heightens concerns over fuel shortages. The airline, which operates major hubs in Frankfurt and Munich, aims to conserve approximately 40,000 tonnes of jet fuel by eliminating less profitable routes. This strategic move highlights the airline's response to the global increase in jet fuel costs, which have more than doubled since the conflict escalated in late February, according to channelnewsasia and aljazeera.

The crisis is exacerbated by the ongoing military tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane for the world's oil supply. As European airlines import around 75% of their jet fuel from the Middle East, they are particularly vulnerable to fluctuations in supply and price. Lufthansa confirmed plans to secure enough fuel for the coming weeks while implementing other measures to stabilize its supply chain for the summer season, according to npr.

Energy experts, including Fatih Birol, head of the International Energy Agency, have indicated that Europe may have "maybe six weeks or so" of jet fuel left, warning that the aviation industry could face significant operational challenges with sustained high prices. The European Union is concerned about a prolonged energy crisis, with EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen noting that the war has cost Europe approximately €500 million ($600 million) daily, raising fears of possible fuel shortages for airlines, according to aljazeera and npr.

In light of these developments, Lufthansa's reductions are part of a broader trend among European airlines. Several carriers, including KLM and Scandinavian Airlines, have also announced schedule cuts although none to the scale of Lufthansa's actions. This pattern indicates that continued high fuel prices may force additional flight cancellations across Europe, as airlines struggle to adapt to the changing economic landscape caused by the Iran war, according to channelnewsasia and npr.