Rising fuel prices push South African airlines to adjust fares and surcharges
Travellers flying to, from, or within South Africa are facing a new round of airline fare adjustments and fuel surcharges as jet fuel prices soar amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Coastal airports have reported fuel price increases of over 100% in the past month, forcing carriers to pass on costs to passengers.
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Jet fuel prices climb dramatically
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the average price of jet fuel in Africa reached $4.43 per gallon (about R19,60 per litre) as of March 13, representing 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.
The spike is linked directly to instability in the Middle East, which has disrupted oil supply and driven global kerosene costs higher.
Regional airlines implement surcharges
Several African carriers have moved quickly to adjust fares and apply temporary fuel surcharges:
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Air Mauritius – Increased fuel surcharge effective for travel from March 18.
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Ethiopian Airlines – Raised fuel surcharge (YR tax) and will continue monitoring developments.
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Kenya Airways – Fare increase across all routes from March 18; tickets issued before March 17 retain old fares.
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RwandAir – Temporary fuel surcharge adjustment for selected fares from March 17.
Domestic passengers may notice higher costs on short-haul routes, while regional travellers face similar increases.
International carriers respond
Major global airlines are also passing on the impact:
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Air France-KLM – Long-haul ticket prices rising from March 11 due to sudden fuel cost jumps.
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Cathay Pacific – Fuel surcharge doubled on all fares from March 18, with subcontinent routes seeing smaller increases.
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Delta Airlines – Warns fares may fluctuate due to rand-dollar volatility; recommends quoting and ticketing the same day.
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LATAM – Introduced US$20 (R335) per sector, affecting Cape Town–São Paulo flights.
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Qantas – International fares adjusted across South African routes; rising fuel costs driving increases.
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United Airlines – CEO Scott Kirby warns of further fare increases if fuel price volatility continues.
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Virgin Atlantic – Imposed a surcharge; long-haul carrier balancing fuel spikes with efficiency and hedging measures.
What this means for travelers
For passengers planning flights from March 18 onwards, expect higher fares and added fuel surcharges. Existing bookings may retain previous rates if ticketed before airlines’ cut-off dates, but last-minute travellers should prepare for extra costs.
Social media and travel forums are already buzzing, with passengers sharing tips on booking early to avoid surcharges and comparing costs across airlines. Some frequent flyers are reassessing loyalty programmes and alternative routes to minimise the impact.
Navigating the new normal
As the Middle East conflict continues to influence global oil markets, South African travellers may see more fare volatility in the coming months. Analysts suggest booking sooner rather than later, monitoring airline announcements closely, and considering flexible tickets where possible.
The situation highlights how geopolitical events ripple through global travel, reminding passengers that airfare is no longer just about distance—it’s now closely tied to fuel markets, currency fluctuations, and global events.
Source: Travel News
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