FRANKFURT, Germany – Deutsche Lufthansa Group said Tuesday it will remove 20,000 short-haul flights from its schedule through October, a sharp reduction the airline linked to soaring jet fuel prices after the outbreak of war involving Iran.

The cuts amount to about 1% of the group’s summer capacity, measured in available seat kilometers, according to a statement from Lufthansa. The company said the schedule changes are expected to save about 40,000 metric tons of jet fuel at a time when fuel costs have jumped and supply conditions have tightened.

Lufthansa said many of the affected flights had previously been operated by Lufthansa CityLine, the regional unit whose aircraft are being withdrawn as part of a broader restructuring effort. Reuters reported last week that Lufthansa was permanently removing 27 aircraft from the CityLine subsidiary and also plans to shrink parts of its short- and medium-haul fleet in the coming winter schedule.

The airline’s decision highlights how quickly conflict in the Middle East is rippling into Europe’s aviation industry. Reuters reported on April 13 that Lufthansa had already prepared plans that could cut capacity by 2.5% or 5% if fuel shortages worsen, including the grounding of older, less efficient aircraft. Chief Executive Carsten Spohr said at the time that kerosene availability was already becoming critical at some airports, particularly in Asia.

The company is also dealing with labor pressure at the same time. Reuters reported that pilot strikes at Lufthansa and Eurowings this month led to hundreds of cancellations and disrupted travel for tens of thousands of passengers.

Lufthansa has not said which specific routes will have the biggest cuts, but the move suggests the group is trying to protect profitability while keeping room to adapt if fuel markets deteriorate further. For passengers, that could mean fewer regional options, more schedule changes and heavier pressure on remaining flights during the peak travel season.

The airline said more schedule adjustments could follow. Reuters reported that Lufthansa had been considering deeper reductions if supply strains continue.