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South Africa\u2019s largest airline, FlySafair, will raise fares to buffer against the steep increase in fuel costs triggered by the war in the Middle East.<\/p>\n
The temporary surcharge will take effect from Thursday (12 March) and will apply to flights departing on or before May 12, \u201creflecting the airline\u2019s hope that this is a short-term crisis requiring a short-term response,\u201d it said in a e-mailed statement on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Read:\u00a0Jet fuel price spike could make flying unaffordable<\/p>\n
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The carrier didn\u2019t specify the size of the increase per passenger.<\/p>\n
Global oil prices surged to the highest since mid-2022 following the US and Israel\u2019s war on Iran, with jet A1 fuel at South Africa\u2019s coastal airports rising about 70% in the week following the outbreak of the conflict.<\/p>\n
Fuel typically comprises about half of FlySafair\u2019s direct operating costs, and it estimates an additional expense of about R35 000 per flight.<\/p>\n
It will reduce or remove the surcharge once market conditions improve.<\/p>\n
Read:
Oil soars toward $120 as Iran war forces more production cuts
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\u201cThe persistence and scale of these fuel costs have left us with no reasonable alternative,\u201d CEO Kirby Gordon said. \u201cInstead of increasing fares across the board, we have chosen to introduce a temporary surcharge.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a9 2026 Bloomberg L.P.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n