Cheaper flights could be on the way!

There’s a little relief in the skies for South African travellers. FlySafair has cut its Dynamic Fuel Surcharge by 40 percent from its March peak, after jet fuel prices eased following recent Middle East-related supply disruptions. The surcharge, introduced in March 2026 as a separate line item on tickets, is reviewed weekly and adjusted by route according to actual fuel costs, with the latest drop bringing Johannesburg to Cape Town from a March high of R832.60 to R491.01.  

The move comes as the wider aviation sector continues its uneven recovery. IATA’s latest global outlook shows that passenger numbers are expected to hit 5.1 billion in 2026, with airlines filling a record 84 percent of seats. But rising fuel costs and geopolitical disruption are squeezing airline profits, with global profitability expected to halve from $45 billion in 2025 to $23 billion this year.

Africa's network is still growing, with air travel demand forecast up 10 percent, but profits remain thin as fuel prices, infrastructure gaps and smaller balance sheets keep pressure on regional carriers.

“Airlines are bearing the brunt of the fuel price shock. While air fares are rising, airlines are still absorbing part of the hike in their bottom lines. Net profit per passenger is expected to fall to $4.50, half of what it was last year. Under the circumstances, that shows resilience. But it won’t even buy you a hot dog at most of the FIFA World Cup venues, and it does not leave much of a buffer should other costs or taxes start rising,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

Why should Joburg travellers care?

Because fuel costs feed directly into airfares, especially on busy domestic routes out of OR Tambo and Lanseria. FlySafair’s cut won’t make flying cheap overnight, but it is a sign that some of the pressure on ticket prices is easing, just as South Africans start planning winter breaks, school holiday travel and quick city escapes.