Lufthansa Group is entering the summer season with a message that there are currently no indications that jet fuel supply could jeopardize the planned flight schedule. In an interview published in the group’s official newsroom, Dieter Vranckx, Chief Commercial Officer of the Lufthansa Group, said passengers can book their flights with confidence, despite concerns in the European aviation industry caused by the crisis in the Middle East.
According to the Lufthansa Group, suppliers are currently not warning of any risk of fuel shortages at any of the group’s six European hubs, Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Vienna, Brussels and Rome, nor at other international stations. Vranckx emphasized that supply is stable and that the group is ready for the peak summer season.
Market concerns are partly linked to the fact that just under a quarter of jet fuel shipments destined for Europe pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Lufthansa Group says any potential shortfalls are being offset by increased imports from other continents, including North America and Africa, while European refineries have raised jet fuel production to maximum capacity.
The group also emphasizes that it continues to offer customers a broad network of more than 300 destinations in over 100 countries. The key message to passengers is that planned trips, from European city breaks to long-haul flights, can be booked without expecting disruptions related to fuel supply.
However, Lufthansa Group leaves room for a scenario in which, contrary to current expectations, flights could be cancelled due to fuel shortages. In that case, passengers would, according to the group, be offered a choice between rebooking on another flight and receiving a full refund of the ticket price. These rules would apply without exception to all airlines within the Lufthansa Group.
Vranckx said the group’s airlines are ready for summer and that the network is strong enough for passengers to rely on the planned flight offering. He added that partner airlines share a similar assessment and are also planning to operate an almost complete flight schedule during this year’s peak season, amid continued strong global demand for air travel.
