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Compiled by Dylan Bettencourt
- The price of jet fuel jumped from eight rand to thirty rand a litre in April after the war in Iran started.
- Local carriers like FlySafair and South African Airways are forcing passengers to pay extra fuel charges to survive the crisis.
Flying just got a lot more expensive for South Africans. The cost of jet fuel has almost tripled, and local airlines are making passengers pay the difference.
A closed Strait of Hormuz has cut off vital fuel supplies. The crisis has pushed jet fuel prices in South Africa from R8.50 to R30 a litre in April. In Malawi, the price has hit R50 a litre.
The massive price jump started after the United States and Israel war on Iran began on 28 February.
South Africa buys about 70% of its jet fuel from other countries. Now, local airlines like FlySafair, Airlink and SAA are slapping extra fuel charges on tickets to survive the crunch.
Airlines are also chopping the number of flights they run. The crisis is hitting SAA hard. The airline is talking to banks about getting more money to stay afloat.
Airlines Association of Southern Africa boss Aaron Munetsi wants answers. He says governments must tell airlines if there is enough fuel to last past May.
The International Air Transport Association warns that airlines might cancel more flights as soon as May because fuel levels are dropping fast.
Munetsi says the high prices will hurt the whole economy because planes carry vital medicine and cargo.
Airports Company South Africa claims its fuel stocks are fine. The government has enough emergency oil to supply the country for two weeks.
OR Tambo International Airport has five to six days of fuel left. Cape Town International Airport has enough for four days, and King Shaka International Airport has fuel for 15 days.
An Acsa spokesperson said suppliers are looking at all options to keep the airports running. The Natref refinery is still pumping fuel to OR Tambo.
Pictured above: A plane being refuelled.
Image source: Pexels
