Eurowings is examining temporary short-time work in its German flight operation for winter 2026/27 as sharply higher kerosene prices put pressure on the Lufthansa subsidiary. The airline is discussing eligibility requirements with Germany’s Federal Employment Agency while reducing its winter capacity, including the cancellation of planned Dubai services from Cologne/Bonn and Stuttgart. No decision has been made on whether short-time work will be introduced.
An internal company communication reportedly refers initially to a reduction of about 5% in the overall winter offer, with fewer aircraft and crews to be deployed. Eurowings is also reducing capacity in other parts of its schedule, although the airline has not disclosed the full scope of the cuts.
The review applies to the German flight operation. The number of potentially affected employees, occupational groups and any implementation period remain undecided. The airline has not indicated whether pilots, cabin crew or both groups could be included.
Eurowings attributed the assessment to the impact of higher fuel costs across the aviation industry. The cancellation of the Cologne/Bonn and Stuttgart-Dubai services also reflects weaker tourist demand for the destination, alongside the effect of fuel prices on the economics of the relatively long routes. The Dubai service from Berlin remains in the winter schedule for now.