FLASH
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Half of Europe's major airlines have offered fewer flights this spring than a year ago, partly due to the closure of the Middle East market. Many have cut thousands of frequencies in recent days alone to cope with the record cost of jet fuel (kerosene), while two ultra-low-cost operators are moving in the opposite direction, expanding their activity: Ryanair and Wizz Air.
An unstable programming
The data is not conclusive: the June schedule could see further cuts. Even when an airline shows growth compared to last year, this growth has been significantly reduced due to the consequences of the conflict in the Middle East. The most difficult situation may come at the end of the summer season, when demand for flights drops and operating costs start to exceed revenues, hitting medium and small airports in Europe in particular.
Cancelled flights
These data come from an analysis by Corriere, based on figures from the Cirium platform and preliminary assessments by sector experts. The data shows that, in addition to companies that have publicly announced reductions, such as Lufthansa, there are also others that have reduced their offer without making it public.
Overall, for the period April-June 2026, European airlines' flight offer has increased by around 3.5% compared to the same period last year. However, this represents a halving of the previously forecasted increase, as plans have been revised downwards due to the conflict in the Persian Gulf.
Thousands fewer flights
With the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the restriction of jet fuel supplies, and the significant increase in the price of kerosene (which has doubled compared to the end of February), airlines have begun to react.
Lufthansa will operate around 6,900 fewer flights in April-June compared to a year ago (around 570,000 fewer seats).
Air France has cut around 4,400 flights (around 645,000 fewer seats).
British Airways has scheduled about 2,000 fewer flights (-190,000 seats).
Eurowings has cut 1,800 flights (-307,000 seats).
Ita Airways has reduced around 1,400 flights (-262,000 seats), also due to the grounding of some new generation aircraft for engine inspections.
Air Dolomiti has lost around 4,700 flights (-560,000 seats).
The movement of ultra low cost companies
Unlike traditional companies, ultra low cost airlines are expanding operations:
Ryanair has added almost 19,000 flights compared to last year
Wizz Air has increased its flights by about 20 thousand
easyJet has added around 1,000 flights
Both KLM and SAS show mixed movements: growth in some segments, but also announced or planned cuts in certain periods.
A sector in constant change
Flight schedules are constantly changing: companies adapt daily to market demand and operational difficulties. However, experts point out that, except for the pandemic period, such a significant reduction in supply has rarely been seen. It is even expected that even growing companies will continue to make adjustments.
Which lines are most affected?
The cuts mainly affect short-haul flights. For example, more than half of Air France's landings come from Hop, the group's regional division. After the summer, airports could face an even more difficult situation in the fall and winter if the situation in the Persian Gulf does not improve.
Possible scenarios
“In the worst-case scenario, we expect a 10% reduction in flights due to the increase in the price of kerosene after September,” says Philippe Crébassa, head of Toulouse and Lille airports. Meanwhile, Olivier Jankovec warns that some regional airports could face a serious supply and demand shock, considering this an existential threat to them.
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