Lufthansa will withdraw up to 15 aircraft from its short- and medium-haul fleet by 2027, driven by persistent losses on European routes. CEO Carsten Spohr confirmed the airline will no longer subsidize underperforming connections with profits from others, forcing a shift toward efficiency and reduced hub overlap. The restructuring centers on Frankfurt, which operates at higher costs than Munich, and will result in fewer direct flights, more transfers, and longer journeys for travelers. The move consolidates operations across six hubs—Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna, Zurich, Brussels, Rome—while expanding capacity at Discover Airlines and ITA Airways. This strategic pivot away from high-cost, low-yield short-haul operations prioritizes long-haul profitability and operational efficiency, with 20,000 flights already cut from summer schedules through October.