Bad news for flight prices in South Africa
Airlines in South Africa have warned travellers to brace for higher prices amid the recent surge in global oil prices, with FlySafair confirming a surcharge increase in response.
The aviation industry has been rocked by recent global oil price increases, forcing aviation groups to raise ticket prices or find other ways to reduce costs.
The conflict between Iran and the US started in February 2026, leading to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait is a critical shipping channel for the world’s oil trade, with approximately 20% of global oil passing through it.
The Strait’s closure led to major fuel price increases in South Africa, with consumers bearing the brunt of the global supply shortage.
In April, the price of Brent crude oil exceeded $100 per barrel, leading to record highs in South Africa’s diesel and petrol prices.
Airlines were also heavily affected by the increases, as A1 aviation fuel prices rose alongside oil prices, forcing them to adjust ticket prices.
Aviation fuel prices are far more volatile than those of other fuel types in South Africa, which are sold to consumers at government-set prices.
FlySafair made headlines in March when it introduced fuel surcharges on its tickets in response to oil price volatility.
These surcharges were additional charges on flight tickets that were adjusted weekly based on global fuel prices.
In the first week after these additional costs were introduced, surcharges cost consumers an average of R176 and peaked at roughly R830 in April for some domestic flights.
These surcharges were lowered in June after a ceasefire between the US and Iran led to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
However, the additional cost was never removed, and has recently increased in response to the renewed conflict in the Middle East.
Currently, these surcharges will cost FlySafair’s customers approximately R310, but prices are set to change in accordance with jet fuel prices.
FlySafair said the surcharge would be removed in the future, but could not provide a specific timeline due to the volatility of the war in Iran.
Cemair and LIFT respond to oil prices
Cemair, a major player in the aviation industry, said that fuel surcharges had not been added to its ticket prices following the recent rise in fuel costs.
The company operates approximately 30 aircraft in South Africa, primarily based at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.
Cemair told BusinessTech that it had not introduced any fuel surcharges, but some lower fare classes had been removed or had their ticket numbers reduced.
The company said consumers should expect ticket prices to rise in line with fuel costs, and that exchange rate volatility could affect pricing.
Cemair CEO, Miles van der Molen, said, “Consumers should expect ticket prices—and indeed everything else—to adjust in line with the energy price. The recent adjustment in the exchange rate is likely to exacerbate the effect of the oil price.”
Another domestic airline, Lift, said the aviation industry’s response to recent fuel hikes would have to be measured, as increased ticket prices could decrease consumer demand.
This creates a difficult scenario for airlines, which have to balance increased prices in response to fuel costs and continuing to sell tickets.
LIFT CCO, Cilliers Jordaan, told BusinessTech that the most recent increase in global fuel prices had an immediate effect on the aviation industry.
“This round of increases has had an immediate effect on the cost of Jet A1 Fuel, with prices rising sharply, reversing the easing seen at the beginning of July,” he said.
“Airlines tend to introduce costs associated with the increase of fuel in a measured way, incorporating these into ticket prices responsibly, to maintain a balance between supply and demand.”
He said that there was particular pressure on the aviation industry, as many airlines have not had the time to recover from previous fuel price hikes.
“Airlines have not been able to recover the entire additional cost of fuel over the last few months. We’re monitoring closely as the situation changes daily”.
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