WASHINGTON — Lufthansa Group announced it is cutting 20,000 short-haul flights across its network through October as the war in the Middle East strains jet fuel supplies and pushes up prices. Airlines worldwide have begun canceling flights in response to the same pressures.

Fuel-related cuts are often being made days or weeks in advance, while weather-related disruptions tend to trigger last-minute cancellations. Airlines may cite fuel shortages or rising fuel costs as the reason for cancellations, but entitlement to compensation depends on whether the disruption is considered within the airline's control under local laws.

"While airlines are citing fuel shortages as a reason for upcoming cancellations, travelers need to know that this does not automatically waive their rights under EU laws," Eric Napoli, chief legal officer at AirHelp, said. He added that airlines in the EU have a "duty of care" to provide "necessary support" to travelers, including rebooking.

Passenger protections vary widely by region, from the Montreal Convention to specific consumer protection laws in the U.S., Canada, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Turkey and Brazil. The Montreal Convention governs airline liability across more than 140 countries. The EU's passenger protection regulations apply to any flight departing from an EU airport, regardless of the airline, and to passengers flying on an EU-based carrier into the EU even if the journey starts outside Europe. The U.K. maintains a similar framework, while the U.S. and Canada offer more limited passenger protections than Europe. Policies vary widely across Asia, and in some cases travelers may need to rely more on airline policies than on formal regulations.

In the U.S., if a flight is canceled and the passenger chooses not to travel, the airline must refund the airfare, regardless of the reason. Passengers are entitled to a full refund for airfare and any extras they did not use, such as baggage fees or seat upgrades.

Travelers facing disruptions are advised to sign up for flight alerts, book directly with the airline, and save documentation such as boarding passes, receipts, cancellation notices and any communication from the airline. They should also ask the airline for written confirmation of a flight disruption, including the stated reason. Booking flights earlier in the day can provide more rebooking options if disruptions occur. If an airline's rebooking option does not meet a traveler's needs, the traveler can seek alternative flights and request a refund, but may need to pay any fare difference upfront and might not be reimbursed later.