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Lufthansa Shuts CityLine Overnight as Fuel Shock and Strikes Force Deeper Cuts

Lufthansa says a fuel price spike plus strikes forced early cuts to lower costly unhedged kerosene exposure.

Overview

  • Lufthansa removed 27 Lufthansa CityLine aircraft from its schedule on Saturday, ending regional flying and triggering cancellations at airports including Birmingham and Newcastle.
  • After the summer, the group will retire its last four Airbus A340-600s in October 2026 and ground two Boeing 747-400s for the winter before a full 747-400 farewell in 2027.
  • The 2026/27 winter timetable will also trim short and medium haul flying by the equivalent of five Lufthansa mainline jets, with nine A350-900s reassigned to lower-cost Discover Airlines.
  • Management cites kerosene prices more than double pre–Iran war levels, with roughly 80% of fuel needs hedged and the plan targeting about a 10% cut in the expensive unhedged share.
  • Lufthansa says CityLine staff have been offered transfers within the group and that talks on a social plan will begin, as pilot and cabin crew strikes this week keep operational pressure high.