FlySafair adjusts its temporary fuel surcharge

FlySafair has slightly reduced its temporary fuel surcharge for the second week in a row, and will continue to review its costs as Jet A1 pricing remains elevated.

The levy was added in March, after Jet A1 fuel prices spiked due to the Middle East conflict. The airline noted that Jet A1 pricing remains more than double pre-conflict levels - and thus it could not remove the levy entirely. This means you can expect to pay the elevated cost until "prices stabilise at sustainable levels." 

The airline confirmed in a statement that it would extend the levy, initially set to expire on 12 May, until 21 August. For now, you can expect to pay an added fuel charge of R787 on a flight between Cape Town and Johannesburg. See the full list of surcharges on FlySafair routes here, as these costs vary by route to reflect actual fuel consumption per journey. 

Global oil prices have climbed sharply since February, with Brent crude rising from around $69 per barrel to roughly $115 per barrel. At the same time, the weakening rand against the dollar is further exacerbating the high cost of air travel right now. Aviation experts estimate that fuel prices at South African airports have surged by more than 140% in a single month. 

The airline will review and adjust the surcharge every seven days in line with the pricing it receives from its fuel supplier. 

“When we introduced this surcharge in March, we made a commitment: it would be dynamic, reviewed weekly, and reduced as soon as fuel pricing allowed,” says Kirby Gordon, Chief Marketing Officer at FlySafair. “We’ve adjusted the levy every week since it was introduced, and these two consecutive reductions reflect that commitment in action. The surcharge is not a revenue mechanism; it moves directly with our actual fuel costs. We appreciate our customers’ patience while global fuel markets remain under pressure.”

What passengers need to know:

• Existing bookings made prior to the introduction of the surcharge are not affected and will not incur any retrospective charges.
• Customers who change an existing booking should note that the surcharge will apply if the new departure date falls within the current surcharge period.
• The surcharge applies to all new bookings on applicable routes until 21 August 2026. 

Also See: Cape Town's air connectivity boosted by new Emirates-Wesgro partnership

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