FOX Business’ Lauren Simonetti reports on the Iranian attack on cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz, the impact on oil and the economy on ‘Varney & Co.’
Lufthansa is cutting nearly 20,000 light-duty flights this summer, citing soaring jet fuel prices that have made many routes “unprofitable” as the global aviation industry grapples with rising costs.
The German carrier said Tuesday that the cuts, which will last until October, are expected to save about 40,000 metric tons of jet fuel. The airline noted that fuel prices have almost doubled since the outbreak of war in Iran.
“In total, 20,000 short-haul flights will be removed from the system until October, equivalent to nearly 40,000 metric tons of jet fuel, the price of which has doubled since the outbreak of the Iran conflict,” the company said in a statement. “The schedule adjustment reduces the number of unprofitable short-haul flights across the Lufthansa Group network.”
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Lufthansa planes land on the tarmac at Frankfurt Airport on April 13, 2026. (Hannes P Albert/photo alliance via Getty Images)
The move reflects a broader trend, as airlines around the world adjust operations in response to rising fuel costs.
The energy market has seen increased volatility since the start of the Iran war and the flow of oil in the Strait of Hormuz has been severely restricted by the threat of an Iranian attack, affecting the availability of essential inputs for making jet fuel.
Other carriers are taking similar steps. Air Canada announced on Friday that it will suspend select routes to the US as jet fuel prices continue to rise.
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Travelers wait in line at a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint at William P. Hobby Airport in Houston, Texas, on March 9, 2026. (Mark Felix/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Delta Air Lines also cut some summer routes, telling USA TODAY that the changes are part of “regular planning.”
At the same time, several major airlines – including JetBlue, United, Delta and Southwest – have increased baggage fees in recent weeks.
“We’re seeing an increase in airline costs, from full-service airlines to budget carriers, from domestic flights to international flights,” Sean Cudahy, senior aviation reporter at The Points Guy, told FOX Business. “And it’s not just the fares — almost every major US carrier has raised fees for checked bags, too. This is a classic case of companies passing the cost on to their customers, and a big one at that.”
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The satellite image shows the Strait of Hormuz, an important sea route connecting the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, which is important for the world’s energy supply. (Amanda Macias/Fox News Digital)
Jet fuel is typically the second largest expense for airlines, according to Cudahy.
“Even if the Strait of Hormuz reopens tomorrow, you’re probably going to see higher fares in the coming months. And those checked bag fees that just went up? Those are probably not going back down when they go up,” he added.
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FOX Business has contacted Lufthansa and Delta Air Lines for comment.
FOX Business’ Eric Revell and Bonny Chu contributed to this report.
