Lufthansa is considering adding fuel tankering stops to some of its long-haul routes to Africa and Asia, due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, global shortages and rising fuel costs.
This was revealed by Lufthansa Group executives during the airline’s first quarter earnings call on May 6.
“The ongoing crisis in the Middle East, combined with rising fuel costs and obvious operational constraints, poses enormous challenges for the world at large, for global aviation and for our company specifically,” Carsten Spohr, CEO of Lufthansa Group, said during the earnings call.
Till Streichert, Lufthansa Group CFO, revealed that, while the airline’s jet fuel supply at its hubs remained secure, it was considering adding tankering stops on its long-haul routes and requested that European anti-tankering rules be loosened to enable tankering in its regional network.
“Up until June, Lufthansa is convinced that its fuel supply will be fully secured, particularly in its hubs. Nevertheless, we are currently also making plans for a scenario if it (our jet fuel supply availability) should change. We are considering various measures, including tankering stops,” said Streichert.
