Airlines face sharp jump in jet fuel costs
Air travellers in South Africa may soon pay more for flights after airlines announced a temporary fuel surcharge following a dramatic rise in aviation fuel prices linked to instability in the Middle East.
Low-cost carrier FlySafair confirmed that it will introduce the surcharge from 12 March 2026 after jet fuel prices at South African coastal airports climbed sharply within a matter of days.
The airline said it had absorbed the additional costs since the start of the crisis in late February but warned that the scale of the increase had made it unsustainable to continue doing so.
Jet A1 aviation fuel — the primary fuel used by commercial aircraft — has risen by roughly 70% in a single week, creating significant financial pressure for carriers operating in the country.
According to the airline, fuel typically represents between 50% and 55% of its direct operating expenses. At current prices, each Boeing 737-800 in FlySafair’s fleet is estimated to incur an additional 35000 rand in fuel costs for every hour it spends in the air.
Global oil disruption drives price volatility
The sudden spike in fuel costs is largely tied to disruptions in the Middle East, particularly around the strategic shipping route known as the Strait of Hormuz.
The narrow waterway carries roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply under normal conditions. However, recent conflict in the region has severely disrupted tanker traffic, with some estimates suggesting shipments have fallen by as much as 70% to 80%.
These disruptions have triggered significant volatility in global oil markets. Benchmark Brent crude oil briefly climbed above $100 per barrel before easing to around $87.
Aviation fuel prices have reacted even more sharply than crude oil, leaving airlines exposed to sudden operating cost increases.
FlySafair said the temporary surcharge will apply only to flights departing on or before 12 May 2026. The airline expects the measure to be short-term and plans to remove it if fuel prices stabilize.
The charge will appear as a separate line item on tickets to provide transparency for customers.
Kirby Gordon, the airline’s chief marketing officer, said the company opted for a clearly labelled surcharge rather than raising base fares.
“This approach allows passengers to see exactly how much of the ticket price is related to the fuel shock,” Gordon said.
Unlike many international airlines that hedge fuel purchases months in advance, FlySafair buys fuel at prevailing market prices. While this strategy can benefit the airline when prices fall, it also leaves the company exposed to sudden spikes.
Passengers who have already booked flights will not be affected by the new surcharge. However, bookings made from 12 March onward will include the additional charge for flights scheduled to depart before 12 May.
Customers who change existing bookings to flights within that period may also see the surcharge applied.
Despite the temporary increase, FlySafair said the measure is designed to maintain service continuity while keeping customers informed about the impact of global fuel price shocks on airline operations.
Source: BusinessTech
