Lufthansa Permanently Shuts Down CityLine Subsidiary Overnight

Lufthansa has announced the immediate and permanent shutdown of its regional subsidiary, Lufthansa CityLine, with all planes being removed from the flight program effective Saturday, April 18, 2026. This move accelerates the previously planned 2027 exit, citing significantly increased kerosene prices (more than doubled since the Iran war) and rising burdens from ongoing labor disputes. The airline states that the CRJ-900s are nearing the end of their technical operational capability and have high operating costs. All employees will be laid off, with offers for jobs at other Lufthansa subsidiaries. The shutdown will impact feeder flights primarily from Frankfurt (FRA) and Munich (MUC), with Lufthansa Group unable to cover all existing service with other aircraft, leading to expected flight cancellations and frequency reductions