European airlines warn of higher fares as fuel hedges unwind

Ryanair Holdings

19/03/2026 09:24

BRUSSELS, March 19 (Reuters) - Major European airlines warned of rising fares if the surge in fuel prices stemming from the Iran conflict persists for months and urged passengers to book early to avoid extra costs as the industry's fuel hedging strategies start to unwind.

Lufthansa Group LHAG.DE CEO Carsten Spohr, speaking alongside other airline leaders in Brussels, said it had added 40 flights to Asia to compensate for disruption to Gulf carriers but demand could be affected by higher fuel charges and fares.

 (Reporting by Joanna Plucinska, Tim Hepher and Louise Heavens)

 ((tim.hepher@thomsonreuters.com; +33 1 49 49 54 52; Reuters Messaging: tim.hepher.thomsonreuters@reuters.net))