Airlines operating across Southern Africa are raising fares this September following a sustained jet fuel supply crisis that is squeezing regional carriers. FlySafair has implemented fuel surcharges on domestic South African routes, while Airlink - the network carrier linking South Africa’s secondary cities with its neighbours - has flagged ongoing cost pressures that are feeding into ticket prices.
The shortage stems from refinery capacity constraints at South Africa’s primary fuel suppliers, compounded by logistics bottlenecks at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo and Cape Town International that slowed fuel delivery in August. By late August 2026, jet fuel prices across Southern African hubs were running significantly above the global benchmark.
What This Means for Travellers
Domestic routes are affected first. Johannesburg–Cape Town, Johannesburg–Durban and routes into smaller cities such as George and East London are seeing the sharpest fare increases. Budget a margin for fares that may shift between booking and travel.
Regional connections into neighbouring countries are more exposed. Airlink routes into Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Zambia are particularly sensitive to fuel cost volatility. If you have a regional connection as part of a wider itinerary, book sooner rather than later.
Fuel surcharges vary by carrier. FlySafair is adding surcharges explicitly; other carriers have folded the increase into base fares. Compare total fares, including charges, when selecting flights.
Allow extra buffer time at airports. Some ground handling has slowed due to fuelling delays at secondary terminals. Adding a longer connection window at OR Tambo is sensible for regional transit passengers.
Practical Steps
The fare environment should stabilise once refinery supply normalises - industry sources expect pressure to ease through October. If your travel is flexible, mid-October onwards is expected to return to more normal pricing.
For now, book direct with airlines where possible rather than through third-party platforms, so that any schedule changes reach you promptly. Travel insurance that covers airline disruptions is worth considering for itineraries with tight regional connections.
We track travel conditions across South Africa’s main gateways continuously. Our practical travel information covers entry requirements, airport transfers and local transport - useful context for anyone planning a trip during a period of disruption.
For those building a multi-destination itinerary, see our destinations overview to help plan which regions to prioritise and how to sequence your journey efficiently. If you’re comparing fares during this period of elevated prices, search flights to South Africa to monitor rates across carriers.