News24 | FlySafair slashes surcharges as jet fuel price, supplies ease

SA’s most popular domestic airline, FlySafair, has announced a further reduction in its temporary surcharge this month, with prices on popular domestic routes decreasing by as much as R285 per one-way flight, and on regional routes by as much as R413.

The surcharge, initially introduced in March to help cover rising jet fuel costs after the US-Israel war on Iran and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz led to soaring jet fuel prices and concerns about its supply.

It was the first time FlySafair introduced a fuel surcharge.

This also meant that several global airlines had reduced frequencies and even closed certain routes to cope with rising input costs. Other domestic airlines, such as South African Airways and Airlink, had also increased their fuel surcharges, which were included in their ticket prices.

However, in recent weeks, global jet fuel prices have continued to fall, according to the International Air Transport Association’s jet fuel price monitor. Between 1 and 29 May, the global average of jet fuel prices dropped from $181.22 per barrel to $141.64.

Average jet fuel prices in Africa also fell by 12% in the past week to $147.61. Jet fuel prices on the continent are usually higher than the rest of the world.

According to FlySafair, improvements in jet fuel availability and cost, as well as refining margins, led to lower fuel surcharge amounts.

In its latest adjustment on 2 June, the fuel surcharge for the Cape Town-Johannesburg route was reduced by R237 per one-way flight compared to 12 May, while the surcharge for flights between Cape Town and Durban was reduced by R239.

Fuel surcharges for a flight between Cape Town and Hoedspruit were also reduced by R285 per flight.

Regionally, the surcharge for flights between Johannesburg and Zanzibar has been reduced by R350 per flight, while the surcharge for flights between Johannesburg and Mauritius has been cut by R413.

Surcharge amounts have also fallen by 40% since they peaked in March, according to the airline, which also said that it would continue to adjust surcharge prices amid global developments.

In late March, surcharge amounts reached R832 per flight on the Cape Town-Johannesburg route and R840 between Cape Town and Durban.

FlySafair chief marketing officer, Kirby Gordon, said the airline was encouraged by the relief in jet fuel prices.

“When we introduced the surcharge, we committed to reviewing it weekly and reducing it as soon as conditions allowed. This latest adjustment reflects that commitment to transparency and fairness,” he said in a statement.

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