South Africans looking to book flights in the coming weeks have been dealt bad news
Image: File
South Africans looking to book flights in the coming weeks have been dealt bad news after several airlines announced fare increases.
This comes as the ongoing crisis in the Middle East continues to push global oil prices higher, with disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for about 20% of the world’s oil, driving up the cost of jet fuel.
With no end to the war in sight, airlines have announced that they have no choice but to adjust fares to cope with the rising fuel costs. On Tuesday, South Africa's largest airline FlySafair announced that, due to the surge in jet fuel prices, it had decided to pass some of the additional costs on to passengers.
"Since the Middle East crisis erupted on 28 February, FlySafair has absorbed steep fuel cost increases to shield passengers from immediate airfare increases. With Jet A1 Fuel prices at South African coastal airports now up approximately 70% in just one week, and no clear end in sight, the airline has reached the point where it must pass on a portion of these costs to ensure the long-term sustainability of the airline and its low fare offering," the airline said.
"The airline is now moving to introduce a temporary fuel surcharge: a measure the airline has resisted throughout its history. The surcharge takes effect from 12 March 2026 and will apply only to flights departing on or before 12 May 2026".
Not long after, other airlines followed suit, announcing similar fare adjustments and temporary surcharges.
State-owned South African Airways (SAA) said it would also adjust airfares across domestic routes to account for rising fuel costs.
"We have begun receiving Jet A1 fuel hike notifications from fuel suppliers that has come into immediate effect , and given the substantial scale of these increases, it is impossible for the airline to absorb them entirely. As a result, SAA will need to adjust airfares," SAA said.
"Therefore, exact fare levels by route and cabin class will be published via the airline’s booking channels, GDS systems, and other distribution platforms with effect from 12 March 2026".
The airline added that tickets already purchased and issued before the fare adjustments will be honoured at the original price.
"Tickets already purchased and issued prior to the effective date will be honoured at the fare paid. These adjustments are necessary to ensure the continued sustainability of our operations while maintaining safe, reliable service for our customers".
Meanwhile, Airlink has also confirmed that it will adjust fares on certain routes in response to the rising cost of jet fuel. The regional carrier said it will not impose any surcharges on tickets already booked.
These increases will make it even harder for South Africans to travel by plane. Even before the current crisis, IOL reported that the EFF said most South Africans could not afford regular air travel.
"The exclusion of a large portion of our society from travel through flight is ridiculous. A lot of it can be credited to pricing manipulation in the aviation sector, whose pricing is determined by the whims of operators and the exploitation of demand," , EFF MP Sinawo Thambo said.
mthobisi.nozulela@iol.co.za
IOL Business