klm schrapt honderden vluchten door explosieve kerosinekosten
Amsterdam, donderdag, 16 april 2026.
KLM haalt 160 Europese vluchten van het programma. De stijgende kerosineprijzen maken deze trajecten niet rendabel meer. Het gaat om retourvluchten van en naar Schiphol. De meeste betreffen drukke routes als Londen en Düsseldorf. Passagiers worden omgeboekt naar een andere vlucht op dezelfde dag. KLM zegt dat reizigers vaak snel verder kunnen. Het aantal Europese vluchten daalt met 80 procent. Hoewel er nu nog geen brandstoftekort is, waarschuwt het Internationaal Energieagentschap (IEA) voor problemen. Europa heeft nog voor ongeveer zes weken kerosine in voorraad. Als de aanvoer via de Straat van Hormuz niet snel weer op gang komt, kan de situatie in juni kritisch worden. Andere luchtvaartmaatschappijen volgen mogelijk snel. Lufthansa stopt al met haar regionale tak CityLine.
klm cancels 160 european return flights due to soaring fuel costs
KLM has canceled 160 European return flights from Schiphol due to sharply increased kerosine expenses. The airline states these routes are no longer profitable amid rising fuel prices [1]. The affected flights primarily cover high-frequency destinations such as London and Düsseldorf [2]. Although there is currently no physical shortage of kerosine, elevated procurement costs have forced operational adjustments. The cancellations represent less than one percent of KLM’s total European flight volume [3]. Passengers impacted by the changes will be rebooked onto alternative same-day departures where available [4].
fuel supply concerns grow despite current stock levels
The International Energy Agency (IEA) warns Europe holds approximately six weeks’ worth of aviation fuel reserves [5]. However, if disruptions to Middle Eastern supply chains persist, conditions could become critical by June [6]. A major concern is the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which severely restricts seaborne kerosine shipments [7]. While no immediate shortage exists, ACI Europe cautioned last week that a structural deficit may emerge within three weeks if alternative supplies are not secured [8]. The diversion of European kerosine exports to Asia, driven by regional price differences, further strains local availability [9].
pricing adjustments and industry-wide impacts unfold
In addition to route reductions, KLM has raised ticket prices across several categories [10]. Economy class round-trips on long-haul flights now cost 100 euros more, excluding North American routes which see a 70 euro increase [11]. Short and medium-haul bookings face a 10 euro surcharge per return journey [12]. Fuel expenses typically account for 27 percent of flight operating costs but have risen to between 40 and 45 percent recently [13]. Competitor Lufthansa is also responding to market pressures by permanently withdrawing its subsidiary Lufthansa CityLine from operations, removing 27 aircraft from service [14].