Deutsche Lufthansa will cancel 20,000 short-haul flights through October to reduce jet fuel consumption amid supply concerns and price volatility. The German airline group said the cancellations, mostly by regional carrier CityLine, will reduce passenger capacity by 1% across its network. The move comes as airlines worldwide grapple with higher fuel costs following the war in Iran.

Last week, Lufthansa announced initial measures including grounding inefficient aircraft and permanently removing CityLine's 27 operational aircraft from its summer schedule. While the fleet reduction was planned before the conflict, the Iran war accelerated implementation. The airline expects these combined measures to save more than 40,000 metric tons of jet fuel. Lufthansa said fuel supply for summer flights should remain largely stable despite the cuts.

The cancellations reflect broader industry challenges as airlines balance operational efficiency with rising costs. Lufthansa's decision to trim short-haul routes demonstrates how geopolitical tensions are forcing carriers to adjust capacity and operations. The fuel savings from these measures could help offset some of the financial pressure from elevated jet fuel prices, though the long-term impact on route networks and passenger capacity remains to be seen.