Lufthansa Grounds 40 Aircraft Amid Fuel Crisis

The rapid increase in jet fuel prices is forcing German airline giant Lufthansa to make a significant decision. The company will temporarily ground about 40 of its aircraft, which account for around 5% of its fleet. Lufthansa plans to withdraw older, more fuel-hungry aircraft from service if the fuel shortage deepens. These include wide-body planes like the Airbus A340-600 and Boeing 747-400, as well as some regional jets. The airline's fuel stocks at its main hubs are expected to be sufficient until the end of June. However, Lufthansa is working on measures to add technical fuel stops and re-route some flights in the event of a crisis. The company is preparing for a capacity reduction of up to 5%. Lufthansa had already taken significant cost-cutting measures. The geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, triggered by US and Israeli attacks on Iran, and disruptions to the global supply chain, have driven jet fuel prices to record highs.