Southern Africa Airlines raise alarm over jet fuel uncertainty as costs triple

April 24, 2026 in Business, Travel & Tourism by Editor

Airlines across Southern Africa are warning of possible flight disruptions and higher fares as uncertainty over jet fuel supplies deepens, with industry leaders calling for urgent government action and clearer contingency plans across the SADC region.

 

Airlines across Southern Africa are sounding the alarm over a deepening jet fuel crisis that is threatening flight schedules, pushing up ticket prices and exposing the region’s heavy dependence on imported aviation fuel.

The Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA) says carriers are increasingly worried about the lack of clarity surrounding jet fuel availability beyond May 2026, warning that without urgent contingency planning, the region could face major operational disruptions.

The concern comes as the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict continues to disrupt global fuel supply chains, particularly through the Gulf region, where much of Southern Africa’s crude oil and refined Jet-A1 aviation fuel originates.

AASA says the uncertainty is especially dangerous for air transport, one of the most strategically important sectors for economies across the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

“Airlines require certainty on the security of jet fuel supplies beyond a six-week horizon if they are to maintain schedules and fulfil obligations to customers,” said AASA Chief Executive Officer Aaron Munetsi.

The industry body is now urging fuel suppliers, airport depots and SADC governments to urgently share contingency fuel allocation and distribution plans with airlines to avoid a full-blown aviation supply shock.

Even if the Strait of Hormuz blockades are lifted in the near term, AASA warns that the recovery will not be immediate.

Several Gulf refineries have reportedly suffered damage and may take months to repair or rebuild, meaning supply constraints could continue well beyond the current crisis.

That prolonged uncertainty is already being felt in airline operating costs.

Jet fuel prices across Southern Africa have more than tripled in just two months—from an average of around ZAR8.50  (UGX 1907) per litre in mid-February to over ZAR30 (UGX 6730) by mid-April.

In landlocked countries such as Malawi, prices have climbed even higher, with Jet-A1 now costing more than ZAR50(UGX 11215) per litre.

For African airlines, already operating in one of the world’s most expensive fuel markets, the surge is hitting particularly hard. Before the latest crisis, jet fuel was already accounting for as much as 40 percent of total operating costs for some regional carriers.

Now, airlines are being forced to introduce fuel surcharges, consolidate flights and reduce frequencies in an effort to protect already thin margins. Industry analysts say the impact is likely to be felt far beyond aviation.

The pressure is also likely to test broader supply chain resilience at a time when many African economies are still managing inflation, currency volatility and rising energy costs.

AASA argues that airlines should not be left to absorb the shock alone.

The association is calling on airports and air navigation service providers to improve operational efficiency and reduce avoidable costs caused by congestion, delays and poor turnaround coordination.

Every minute of unnecessary taxiing, holding or scheduling inefficiency adds to fuel burn—and ultimately to passenger costs.

“Airports and air navigation service providers must come to the fore and collaborate with airlines,” Munetsi said.

“Now, more than at any other time, they have a responsibility to ensure they operate with maximum efficiency by eliminating congestion and delays that waste fuel and increase costs.”

The crisis is also reigniting debate around Africa’s limited refining capacity and dependence on external energy supply chains.

Despite growing passenger demand and expanding aviation networks, much of the continent still relies on imported refined aviation fuel, leaving airlines vulnerable to geopolitical shocks thousands of kilometres away.

For governments pursuing aviation-led trade growth, the current squeeze is a reminder that connectivity depends not only on aircraft and routes, but also on stable fuel security.

What carriers want most is clear information on available stocks, fuel already ordered, the status of national strategic reserves and the conditions under which those reserves would be released.