Jet fuel prices surge over 100% at South African airports, airlines add surcharges

Key facts

• Jet fuel at Cape Town and King Shaka airports rose 70% week-on-week.
• Aviation analyst Guy Leitch said jet fuel prices more than doubled over the past month, from R11.50 to R25–R28 per litre.
• African jet fuel averaged $4.43 per gallon (R19.60/litre) on March 13, up 107% year-on-year.
• FlySafair introduced a temporary fuel surcharge from March 12 for flights departing on or before August 21, 2026.
• Lufthansa Group will remove 20,000 short-haul flights from its summer schedule through October 2026, saving 40,000 metric tons of jet fuel.
• Air Mauritius, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, and RwandAir have all raised fuel surcharges or fares effective mid-March.
• Fuel accounts for 30–35% of an airline’s operating costs, Leitch said.
• Airlink confirmed the increase at coastal airports; OR Tambo had not yet raised prices but is expected to follow.

Sharp fuel spike hits coastal airports

Jet fuel prices at South Africa’s coastal airports have surged by as much as 70% in a single week, forcing airlines to introduce fuel surcharges and adjust fares. Airlink chief executive de Villiers Engelbrecht confirmed the increase at Cape Town International and King Shaka International airports, noting that fuel supply agreements are confidential but the rise is in the region of 70% week-on-week. At OR Tambo International in Johannesburg, prices had not yet increased dramatically by Tuesday afternoon, but airlines expect it to follow suit soon. Aviation analyst Shawn Mendes warned of a significant spike in pricing over the short term, especially for budget and leisure travellers.

Airlines respond with surcharges and fare adjustments

FlySafair has introduced a temporary fuel surcharge effective from March 12 for flights departing on or before August 21, 2026, after aviation fuel prices rose around 70% in one week. Other African carriers have moved quickly: Air Mauritius increased its fuel surcharge for travel from March 18; Ethiopian Airlines raised its YR tax; Kenya Airways applied a fare increase across all routes from March 18; and RwandAir adjusted its temporary fuel surcharge for selected fares from March 17. Internationally, Air France-KLM raised long-haul ticket prices from March 11 due to sudden fuel cost jumps. Lufthansa Group said it would remove 20,000 short-haul flights from its summer schedule through October 2026, saving about 40,000 metric tons of jet fuel, representing around 1% of available seat kilometres.

Fuel costs more than double in a month

Aviation analyst Guy Leitch told 702 Drive that jet fuel prices have more than doubled over the past month, climbing from about R11.50 per litre to between R25 and R28 per litre. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported that the average price of jet fuel in Africa reached $4.43 per gallon (about R19.60 per litre) as of March 13, a nearly 107% increase compared to the same time last year. Global averages were slightly lower at $4.17 per gallon (R18.40 per litre), still up 94% year-on-year. Leitch said fuel usually makes up 30% to 35% of an airline’s operating costs, making the impact on ticket prices “unavoidable”. He noted that airlines sell tickets months in advance, which creates a major risk when costs change after fares have already been set.

Middle East conflict disrupts supply

The spike is linked directly to instability in the Middle East, which has disrupted oil supply and driven global kerosene costs higher. Leitch said damaged refineries and uncertainty over future supply have made the problem harder for airlines to manage. Restoring refinery production could take at least six months or longer, he added. South African Airways’ Vimla Maistry said the airline expects all fuel suppliers to adjust pricing. “Nationally, similar increases may be reflected by other service providers, but SAA remains committed to protecting customers from sudden cost burdens while maintaining competitive and responsible fares.”

Route cuts and economic ripple effects

The pressure from rising jet fuel prices is also affecting airline schedules. Leitch said some flights on less profitable routes are already being combined or cancelled as airlines try to reduce costs. Lufthansa’s decision to cut 20,000 short-haul flights mirrors this trend internationally. Higher jet fuel prices could also affect tourism, trade and business travel. Leitch warned that reduced air connectivity has a broad economic impact because airline spending supports related activity in tourism, freight and business services. However, he opposed government subsidies for aviation, arguing they would distort the market and mainly benefit wealthier travellers, while South Africa should focus on more basic needs.

Outlook: volatile prices and uncertain schedules

For now, passengers should expect airlines to keep reviewing fares, surcharges and schedules while fuel prices remain volatile. Travellers booking flights months ahead may see prices change more quickly than usual as airlines respond to uncertain costs. Leitch estimated that restoring refinery production could take at least six months, suggesting the pressure on airlines may persist for the rest of 2026. Airlink’s Engelbrecht confirmed the increase at coastal airports, and analysts expect OR Tambo to follow. Shawn Mendes said the significant spike in pricing will hit budget and leisure travellers hardest. The combination of surcharges, fare adjustments, and route cuts means that air travel in and out of South Africa is set to become more expensive and less convenient in the near term.

The bottom line

• Jet fuel prices at coastal South African airports surged 70% week-on-week, with analysts saying they have more than doubled over the past month.
• FlySafair, Air Mauritius, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, RwandAir, and Air France-KLM have all introduced fuel surcharges or fare increases.
• Lufthansa is cutting 20,000 short-haul flights to save fuel, reflecting the global nature of the crisis.
• The Middle East conflict is the primary cause, disrupting oil supply and damaging refineries; recovery may take six months or longer.
• Fuel accounts for 30–35% of airline operating costs, making fare hikes unavoidable, according to analyst Guy Leitch.
• Reduced air connectivity could hurt tourism, trade, and business travel, but government subsidies are not recommended.