South African Jet Fuel Prices Surge to R30 per Litre Amid Middle East Tensions and Supply Uncertainty

Jet fuel prices in South Africa surge to R30 per litre due to Middle East tensions. AASA CEO Aaron Munetsi warns of supply uncertainty and flight consolidations.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 28, 2026, 10:38 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from EWN

Geopolitical Tensions Drive Unprecedented Fuel Costs

The aviation sector in Southern Africa is facing a severe financial shock as jet fuel prices have skyrocketed from a baseline of R8.50 to R30 per litre. Industry experts attribute this dramatic 250% increase to ongoing military tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, specifically involving the Israel-Iran conflict. Because South Africa lacks the infrastructure to refine crude oil into Jet A-1 fuel locally, the nation is entirely dependent on imports, making the domestic market highly vulnerable to global price spikes and maritime supply chain disruptions.

Security of Supply Threatens Flight Schedules

AASA CEO Aaron Munetsi highlighted that beyond the cost, the "security of supply" has become the most pressing concern for regional carriers. During a discussion on The Midday Report, Munetsi explained that airlines are currently unable to guarantee schedule integrity because they do not know how much fuel will be available from day to day. While the South African government manages storage and aircraft fueling capacity, the responsibility for importing and ensuring a steady flow of Jet A-1 lies with private suppliers, who are currently struggling under volatile market conditions.

Airlines Adopt Consolidation Tactics to Avoid Cancellations

To mitigate the risk of mass cancellations, local airlines are employing strategic "flight combining" methods. Munetsi noted that carriers are monitoring demand in real-time; if two scheduled flights show lower passenger loads, they are being merged into a single full aircraft. This maneuver allows airlines to extend their limited fuel reserves and maintain operations for a longer period. Despite these efforts, Munetsi admitted that if supply remains uncertain, a scenario involving widespread flight cancellations is a distinct possibility.