Lufthansa is cutting roughly 20,000 short-haul flights this summer, citing a spike in jet fuel prices that has rendered many routes “unprofitable” as the global aviation industry grapples with rising costs.

The German carrier said Tuesday the cuts, which will run through October, are expected to save about 40,000 metric tons of jet fuel. The airline noted that fuel prices have roughly doubled since the outbreak of the Iran war.

“In total, 20,000 short-haul flights will be removed from the schedule through October, equivalent to approximately 40,000 metric tons of jet fuel, the price of which has doubled since the outbreak of the Iran conflict,” the company said in a statement. “The schedule adjustments reduce the number of unprofitable short-haul flights across the Lufthansa Group network.”

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The move reflects a broader trend, as airlines worldwide adjust operations in response to surging fuel costs. 

The energy market has seen increased volatility since the Iran war began and the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz has been severely constrained by the threat of Iranian attacks, impacting the availability of a key input in making jet fuel.

Other carriers are taking similar steps. Air Canada announced Friday it is suspending select U.S.-bound routes as jet fuel prices continue to climb. 

AIR CANADA SCRAPS KEY US ROUTES AS FUEL COSTS SURGE AMID IRAN WAR

Delta Air Lines has also trimmed some summer routes, telling USA TODAY the adjustments are part of “normal planning.”

At the same time, several major airlines – including JetBlue, United, Delta and Southwest – have raised baggage fees in recent weeks.

“We’re seeing airfare increase across the board, from the full-service airlines to the budget carriers, from domestic flights to long-haul international,” Sean Cudahy, senior aviation reporter at The Points Guy, told FOX Business. “And it’s not just fares – almost every major U.S. carrier has hiked checked bag fees, too. This is really just a classic case of companies passing on costs to their customers, and it’s a big cost at that.”

SOARING JET FUEL PRICES THREATEN TO DRIVE UP SUMMER TRAVEL COSTS

Jet fuel is typically airlines’ second-largest expense, according to Cudahy.

“Even if the Strait of Hormuz reopened tomorrow, you’d likely see lingering high fares for months to come. And those checked bag fees that just rose? Those almost never come back down once they go up,” he added.

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FOX Business reached out to Lufthansa and Delta Air Lines for comment.

FOX Business’ Eric Revell and Bonny Chu contributed to this report.

LOS ANGELES — Mookie Betts continues to rehab a right oblique strain suffered on April 5 against the Washington Nationals, with the Los Angeles Dodgers taking a cautious approach to his return as the four-time World Series champion has already missed more than two weeks of action.

Manager Dave Roberts provided the latest positive but measured update Tuesday, confirming that Betts began a swing progression over the weekend. The star shortstop has been progressing through med ball throws and light throwing but has not yet started hitting in a game-like setting. Roberts emphasized that the team will not rush Betts, noting it will still “take a while” before he is back in the lineup despite the encouraging signs.

Betts, who turns 34 in October, has echoed the cautious tone. In recent comments, he said he is able to throw without issue and that running feels manageable, though he has not begun swinging a bat. He stressed the importance of avoiding the mechanical issues that arose from a previous oblique injury last season, when he pushed through discomfort and developed bad habits at the plate. “It’s just an oblique, and it’s going to take time,” Betts said, adding that the Dodgers are prioritizing full comfort with med ball work before advancing to hitting.

Oblique strains are notoriously tricky for position players, often requiring four to six weeks of recovery. While initial optimism suggested a shorter absence — Betts was placed on the 10-day injured list shortly after the injury — the timeline has extended. He remains eligible to return as early as mid-April in theory, but Roberts and the medical staff have made clear the 10-day IL stint was insufficient. Most projections now point to a return sometime in May, potentially after a rehab assignment, though no firm date has been set.

The injury has tested the depth of a star-studded Dodgers roster that entered 2026 with championship aspirations. Betts, a versatile defender capable of playing shortstop, second base and the outfield, has been one of the franchise’s most consistent performers since joining via trade from the Boston Red Sox. His absence has created opportunities for others, most notably Korean infielder Hyeseong Kim, who was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City to help fill the void.

Kim, signed by the Dodgers to a multi-year deal before the 2025 season, has seized the opportunity. In limited action since the call-up, the left-handed hitter has posted strong early numbers, including a batting average around .333 with a high on-base percentage, a home run and multiple stolen bases. Manager Roberts has praised Kim’s calm, patient approach at the plate and his growing comfort in the major leagues during his second year stateside.

The 27-year-old Kim has primarily seen time at second base and shortstop, providing defensive versatility while delivering contact hitting and speed on the basepaths. His low strikeout rate and ability to get on base have helped the Dodgers maintain offensive production despite missing Betts’ elite bat and leadership. In 2025, Kim showed promise as a utility player with a .280 average, modest power and double-digit steals in limited big-league time. Early 2026 performance suggests he could develop into a reliable everyday contributor if given consistent at-bats.

Still, replacing Betts fully remains a tall order. The veteran brings Gold Glove-caliber defense, switch-hitting power, speed and championship experience that few players can match. Kim’s profile leans more toward contact and speed than Betts’ well-rounded slugging and elite defense, but his hot start has eased some of the burden on the lineup. Roberts has indicated that if Kim continues performing well, he could earn a longer stay on the roster even after Betts returns, potentially creating a dynamic infield rotation.

The Dodgers have navigated the absence without major slippage, thanks to contributions from other stars like Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and the rest of a deep lineup. However, the team’s ability to sustain momentum will be tested further if Betts misses additional time into May. Oblique injuries can linger, and the Dodgers have signaled they would rather err on the side of caution to ensure Betts returns at full strength rather than risk a setback.

Betts has used the downtime for personal milestones as well. The father of three recently shared family updates, emphasizing the joy of fatherhood amid his recovery. His positive attitude and focus on smart rehabilitation have been noted by teammates and coaches.

For fantasy baseball managers and Dodgers fans tracking the situation, the key questions remain when Betts will resume baseball activities and how effectively Kim can hold down the fort. Early indications point to a gradual ramp-up for Betts, with swinging likely to begin soon followed by simulated games or a short rehab stint. A return in early to mid-May appears realistic if progress continues without setbacks.

Hyeseong Kim’s role will be pivotal in the interim. His ability to provide consistent offense and defensive reliability at premium infield positions gives the Dodgers flexibility. If Kim maintains a high on-base percentage and adds value on the bases, he could carve out a larger role in the long term, even in a crowded Dodgers infield that includes veterans and other young talents.

The broader picture for the Dodgers remains bright. Despite the injury, the team has stayed competitive in the competitive National League West. Depth has been a hallmark of their roster construction, allowing them to weather absences better than most clubs. Still, Betts’ unique skill set makes him difficult to replace entirely, and his return will be welcomed as the season intensifies.

As the calendar turns toward May, all eyes will remain on Betts’ daily progress and Kim’s continued production. The Dodgers will balance short-term needs with long-term health, aiming to have their star shortstop back healthy and contributing to another deep postseason run.

For now, the message from the organization is patience. Mookie Betts is progressing, but oblique strains demand respect. In the meantime, Hyeseong Kim is proving he belongs, offering a capable stopgap that keeps the Dodgers’ championship hopes intact.

Oil prices extended their gains on Thursday, building on a sharp rally in the previous session as stalled peace talks between Iran and the United States kept markets on edge. Both countries continue to restrict trade flows through the Strait of Hormuz.

Adding to concerns, Iran seized two ships in the strait on Wednesday, tightening control over the passage. The U.S. has continued its naval blockade on Iranian trade, while Iranian parliament speaker and lead negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf stated that a full ceasefire would only be meaningful if the blockade is lifted.

Crude oil price on April 23

Brent crude futures slipped 15 cents to $101.76 per barrel, after closing above $100 on Wednesday for the first time in over two weeks. West Texas Intermediate futures also edged lower by 14 cents to $92.82.On Wednesday, both benchmarks had surged more than $3, supported by larger-than-expected draws in U.S. gasoline and distillate inventories, along with continued deadlock in diplomatic negotiations.

Although U.S. President Donald Trump extended a ceasefire following mediation efforts by Pakistan, tensions remain unresolved. Iran and the U.S. are still limiting vessel movement through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route that previously handled about 20% of global oil and LNG flows before the conflict began in late February with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran.
Markets remain highly reactive to geopolitical signals, with price movements driven more by sentiment than any concrete improvement in supply. Limited vessel activity through the strait highlights the ongoing uncertainty. Even if tensions ease, a full normalization of flows is expected to take several months.
Macquarie estimates that crude prices could remain supported in the $85 to $90 range in the near term, with a gradual rise towards $110 as supply conditions improve. It also cautioned that prolonged disruptions through April could push Brent prices as high as $150 per barrel.
Analysts believe the market may be entering a phase of structurally higher prices. With the ceasefire viewed as temporary, a return to pre-conflict levels of $70 to $75 may not happen quickly. In the short term, prices are likely to move within a band of $80 to $85 on the downside and $95 to $100 and above on the upside.

Nuvama Institutional Equities added that an extended closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which carries around 20 million barrels per day, could drive crude prices into the $110 to $150 range.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)

US equity-index futures dropped after Brent crude oil rose at the open in Asian trading amid concerns about the war in Iran.

Contracts for the S&P 500 Index dropped 0.4% and Brent advanced 1.3% to nearly $103 a barrel. Asian shares fluctuated at the open and advanced 0.1%.

The fluctuating moves at the open in Asia came after the S&P 500 rose 1.1% to a record Wednesday, placing the index on track for its best month since 2020. The Nasdaq 100 gained 1.7% to also set a closing peak. US chipmakers climbed for a 16th straight day, the longest-ever advance.

Stocks rose during the US session after President Donald Trump’s extension of the ceasefire marked a retreat from threats to resume bombing Iran if a deal wasn’t reached by a Wednesday deadline. The focus now is on whether talks can resume and the two sides can reach an agreement, especially as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz keeps energy prices elevated, risking higher inflation and weighing on economic growth.

Tensions remain high as the US and Iran failed to meet for a fresh round of peace talks, with both sides blocking the waterway to gain leverage during an extended ceasefire. Tehran says it has no plans to take part in negotiations imminently.

Strong corporate profits, the revival of the artificial-intelligence trade and an otherwise resilient economy have buoyed stocks despite lingering geopolitical risks. Nearly 80% of the S&P 500 companies reporting first-quarter results have beaten analyst earnings estimates so far, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
Focus is likely to shift to Asian semiconductor stocks after the Philadelphia Stock Exchange Semiconductor Index posted a record run, as investors bet on continued strength driven by artificial intelligence-related demand.The semiconductor sector is expected to grow revenue by about 57% in 2026, according to Bloomberg Intelligence data, which is twice the pace of the overall tech sector, and well above the 9.3% growth expected for the S&P 500 Index.

“There’s a huge amount of demand because of artificial intelligence, and I think we can expect the heavy spending on AI to continue for the foreseeable future,” said Mark Grant, chief global strategist at Alliance Global Partners. “The sector still looks attractive in terms of both valuation and growth, and that should be positive for both semiconductor stocks broadly, but also the market overall.”