Handelsblatt1 hour agoBusiness1 min readGermany

Aviation: Eurowings is examining short-time work due to high kerosene costs

Quick Look

Due to sharp increases in kerosene prices, Eurowings is examining temporary short-time work in German winter flight operations and is temporarily removing unprofitable routes such as Dubai from the 2026/27 winter flight program, even though the flight connections were only announced at the end of September.

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Why It Matters

Jet fuel prices have risen sharply in recent months, putting pressure on the entire aviation industry. Eurowings, as a subsidiary of Lufthansa, is examining measures to reduce costs in winter flight operations.

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Dusseldorf. The extreme increase in kerosene prices may lead to short-time work at the Lufthansa subsidiary Eurowings in winter. The airline in Cologne confirmed a corresponding report from the specialist service “Aerotelegraph” upon request.

“The sharp rise in kerosene prices is affecting the entire aviation industry, including Eurowings,” explained a spokeswoman. “We are therefore currently checking whether the requirements for temporary short-time work in German flight operations in winter are met.” Discussions are being held with the Federal Employment Agency about this. While the review is ongoing, they do not want to comment on further details.

According to Eurowings, flights that cannot be operated profitably at the current cost level are temporarily removed from the 2026/27 winter flight program. The destination Dubai is an example of this development, as demand for flights to the metropolis has not yet reached its previous level after Iran's attacks on the Gulf states.

“Further capacity cuts do not affect routes per se, but rather individual frequencies throughout the Eurowings network,” explained the spokeswoman. However, the airline only announced the additional flights to Dubai from Cologne/Bonn and Stuttgart airports on September 30th.

What to Watch

AI outlook — possibilities, not facts

Eurowings will introduce temporary short-time work in German flight operations in winter 2026/27 if the requirements are met.
Likely · Within months
Eurowings will temporarily remove the flight connection to Dubai from the 2026/27 winter flight program.
Very likely · Within months

Open Questions

How many employees could be affected by the possible short-time work?
Which specific routes other than Dubai will be removed from the 2026/27 winter flight program?
How long could short-time work last if it is introduced?
What alternatives is Eurowings considering besides short-time work and route cancellations?