South African low-cost carrier FlySafair has reduced its temporary fuel surcharge for a second consecutive week, offering modest relief to travellers as jet fuel prices show early signs of stabilising.
The airline said the adjustment reflects a slight drop in Jet A1 fuel costs following a sharp spike earlier this year, triggered by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Despite the recent easing, fuel prices remain more than double pre-crisis levels, meaning the surcharge will stay in place for now.
The current levy is set to run until 21 August 2026 and is reviewed weekly based on real-time fuel pricing from suppliers. It also varies by route, depending on fuel consumption for each journey.
“We’ve adjusted the levy every week since it was introduced, and these two consecutive reductions reflect that commitment in action,” said Kirby Gordon, chief marketing officer at FlySafair. “The surcharge is not a revenue mechanism; it moves directly with our actual fuel costs.”
Weekly adjustments and transparency from FlySafair
FlySafair publishes updated surcharge rates on its website, allowing passengers to track week-on-week changes. The airline has emphasised that the charge is dynamic and will continue to decrease if fuel prices improve further.
Passengers should note:
- Bookings made before the surcharge was introduced are not affected
- Changes to existing bookings may trigger the surcharge if travel falls within the levy period
- All new bookings on applicable routes include the surcharge until 21 August 2026
The surcharge was first implemented in March after the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East disrupted global oil supply chains.
A key factor has been the impact on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil transit route through which roughly a fifth of the world’s supply typically passes. Shipping volumes through the strait dropped sharply, sending fuel markets into volatility.
Jet fuel prices at South African coastal airports surged by around 70% in a single week at the height of the crisis. For FlySafair, where fuel accounts for roughly half of operating costs, this translated into an estimated additional R35 000 per flight hour for each Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
The airline initially absorbed these increases to shield customers from immediate fare hikes. However, it later introduced the temporary surcharge to maintain operations without compromising its low-cost model.
A temporary measure under pressure
FlySafair said the surcharge remains a short-term response to extraordinary market conditions and will be reduced or removed once fuel prices return to sustainable levels.
The airline has historically avoided such charges, opting instead for simple, all-inclusive pricing. But the scale and persistence of current fuel costs left little alternative.
Industry-wide, airlines have taken similar steps, with many global carriers adjusting fares or applying fuel-linked surcharges to cope with ongoing volatility.
