Frankfurt, April 4, 2026 Lufthansa has raised concerns about potential kerosene supply shortages due to prolonged conflict in the Middle East, with fuel availability already becoming a challenge at some Asian airports. Lufthansa, one of Europe’s largest airline groups, is grappling with the looming threat of kerosene supply disruptions as tensions in the Middle East persist. The airline’s leadership has highlighted the growing difficulties in securing flight fuel, particularly in Asia, where shortages are already emerging.
Supply Challenges in Asia
The availability of flight fuel is becoming increasingly problematic at several Asian airports, according to Lufthansa. The airline noted, *"Die Frage der Verfügbarkeit von Flugkraftstoff ist an einigen asiatischen Flughäfen bereits jetzt schwierig"* ("The question of flight fuel availability is already difficult at some Asian airports"). This issue is compounded by rising kerosene prices, which have surged by more than 100 percent in some cases due to supply constraints.
The situation is further exacerbated by geopolitical instability, particularly around critical shipping routes like the Strait of Hormuz. Any disruption to fuel shipments through this region could have severe repercussions for global aviation, including higher operational costs and potential flight cancellations.
Hedging Against Price Volatility
To mitigate the impact of soaring fuel prices, Lufthansa has implemented hedging strategies for its passenger airlines. The company stated, *"Für unsere Passagier-Airlines wird der Ölpreisanstieg durch eine Absicherungsquote von 80 Prozent des Treibstoffbedarfs im laufenden Jahr noch weitgehend abgepuffert"* ("For our passenger airlines, the oil price increase is largely cushioned by an 80 percent hedging rate of fuel demand for the current year"). This measure aims to stabilize costs amid unpredictable market conditions.