Lufthansa to Ground 20 Planes Over Fuel Costs

Lufthansa is considering the temporary grounding of around 20 aircraft as rising fuel costs, linked to tensions from the war in Iran, continue to put pressure on the aviation sector. The information was outlined by Lufthansa Group CEO Carsten Spohr during a meeting with employees, as reported by Handelsblatt.

Spohr said the measure would correspond to roughly a 2.5% reduction in the airline’s available seat capacity. He also noted that the company could expand the move to as many as 40 aircraft if conditions worsen, stressing that Lufthansa wants to remain prepared for the broader impact of the conflict in the Middle East.

According to the CEO, the aircraft most likely to be affected are older models that are approaching the end of their operational life cycle. This would allow the group to adjust capacity while minimizing disruption to its core fleet.

Spohr warned that the situation could also influence passenger demand, suggesting that fewer people may choose to fly if costs and uncertainty increase. He described the impact of the Middle East conflict on the aviation market as stronger than initially expected, underlining the pressure it is placing on airline operations and planning.