Topic analysis

Jet fuel crisis deepens as Lufthansa cuts 20,000 flights

A jet fuel crisis triggered by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid the Iran conflict is disrupting global aviation, with Lufthansa canceling 20,000 short-haul flights between May and October 2026 to reduce fuel consumption, and other airlines like KLM also canceling flights while many raise fares. EU officials are preparing emergency measures including collective jet fuel stock sharing and increased imports from the US, though experts note limited short-term solutions exist beyond cutting fuel use, as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) faces supply and cost challenges.