A pointy rise in international oil costs is starting to hit South Africa’s aviation sector, with airways already elevating ticket costs and introducing gas surcharges to take care of hovering jet gas prices.
The surge follows escalating battle within the Center East after Iran successfully blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a key transport route that transports about 20% of the world’s oil.
The disruption has pushed oil costs from round $70 per barrel earlier than the battle to just about $120 in latest days, sending shockwaves by way of international gas markets.
SA Airways reply with larger costs
South African airways have already began adjusting fares.
Low-cost service FlySafair confirmed it’s going to introduce a brief gas surcharge on all new bookings from 12 March 2026, marking the primary time the airline has ever applied such a cost.
“We will probably be particularly itemising this short-term dynamic gas surcharge on all tickets to make sure equity and transparency to our prospects,” mentioned FlySafair spokesperson Kirby Gordon.
The surcharge will apply to flights departing till 12 Could 2026, reflecting the airline’s expectation that the disruption could also be short-term.
The precise surcharge will range by route relying on gas consumption for every journey.
Ticket costs already rising
Regional airline Airlink has taken a barely completely different strategy, confirming it has already adjusted ticket costs twice for the reason that oil value shock started.
CEO de Villiers Engelbrecht mentioned the airline won’t add surcharges to current bookings however will proceed adjusting fares as gas prices change.
“Ought to it grow to be mandatory, Airlink may additionally think about rationalising capability to scale back direct variable prices in what’s a completely unpredictable and risky atmosphere,” he mentioned.
Gas provide safe – however costs are the priority
Regardless of the value shock, airways say gas availability itself isn’t the rapid downside.
This echoes earlier assurances from South African Airways (SAA), which not too long ago mentioned it doesn’t anticipate any disruption to jet gas provide and has adequate preparations in place to help its flight schedule.
Airlink has additionally acquired assurances from suppliers that gas shares are adequate for March and April, though uncertainty stays past that interval if the battle continues.
For now, airways say the objective is just to take care of operations whereas absorbing as a lot of the fee strain as attainable, whilst the worldwide scenario stays extremely risky.
