Eurowings is examining temporary short-time work for its German flight operations during winter 2026/27 as sharply higher kerosene costs weigh on the Lufthansa subsidiary. The airline has already cut its planned winter programme by about 5%, including the planned Cologne/Bonn and Stuttgart-Dubai services, while flights from Berlin to Dubai are expected to continue. Talks with Germany’s Federal Employment Agency are under way, but no decision has been taken.
The review is expected to concern flying personnel in Germany. Eurowings has not disclosed how many employees could be affected, when any measure might begin or how extensive it could be. Vereinigung Cockpit has confirmed the examination, while ver.di is seeking an employer supplement to short-time work benefits and guarantees of continued employment if the measure proceeds.
Eurowings is removing flights that cannot be operated profitably at current cost levels from the winter schedule. Further reductions are expected to affect individual frequencies across the network rather than complete routes. The airline has described the fuel-price surge as a burden for the wider aviation industry; an internal staff communication estimated almost EUR250 million in additional kerosene costs for the current year.
Cost-cutting also extends beyond flight operations. Around 100 administrative positions are expected to disappear by the end of 2028, and a planned Christmas celebration has been cancelled. Vereinigung Cockpit has criticised the savings programme and questioned its rationale alongside Lufthansa’s investment in Portugal’s TAP.