Lufthansa slashes 20,000 summer flights amid fuel shortages and Iran conflict
Lufthansa has cut 20,000 flights from its summer schedule due to concerns over fuel shortages. The move comes as the airline faces rising costs linked to the Iran conflict. Despite these challenges, the company’s stock climbed by up to 8% after stronger-than-expected first-quarter results.
The airline reported an adjusted operating loss of €612 million for the first three months of 2026. Though still a loss, this figure beat analyst predictions of €659 million. Revenue also grew by 8%, reaching €8.7 billion, though it fell short of the €9.3 billion forecast.
Fuel costs have surged by €1.7 billion so far this year, largely due to the ongoing Iran conflict. To manage the strain, Lufthansa has scaled back its summer timetable, removing 20,000 flights. Despite these setbacks, the company maintained its full-year profit outlook—but only if fuel supply remains stable and no further strikes occur. Lufthansa is also pushing ahead with a long-term turnaround plan. The goal is to achieve a profit margin of 8% to 10% by 2028–2030. Investors responded positively, with shares rising between 6% and 8% in Frankfurt trading by mid-morning. The airline now expects its adjusted operating profit for 2026 to exceed the €1.96 billion recorded in 2025.
The airline’s stock gain reflects investor confidence after its first-quarter performance. However, fuel shortages and geopolitical tensions continue to pressure operations. Lufthansa’s ability to meet its profit targets will depend on avoiding further disruptions in the coming months.
