Regional and international airlines operating in South Africa are adjusting fares and adding fuel surcharges as rising oil prices linked to conflict in the Middle East push up operating costs.
Travel News approached all regional and international airlines serving South Africa for updates on fuel surcharge and fare adjustments. This article will be updated as more responses are received.
The fuel surcharges and fare increases for domestic carriers can be viewed here.
Regional airlines
Air Mauritius
Air Mauritius will be proceeding with an increase in fuel surcharge.
The change will be effective for all travel on or after March 18.
Ethiopian Airlines
Ethiopian Airlines has increased its fuel surcharge (YR) tax.
The airline said it would continue monitoring developments in the Middle East and communicate further updates if required.
Kenya Airways
Kenya Airways will implement a fare increase across all routes.
The new fares are applicable to all sales and travel commencing from March 18.
Existing bookings must be ticketed by March 17 to retain current fares. Tickets issued on or after March 18 will reflect the new applicable fares. Unutilised tickets reissued on or after March 18 will also be subject to the new fares.
RwandAir
RwandAir announced that it would introduce a temporary fuel surcharge adjustment on selected fares, effective March 17.
The new measure will apply to bookings issued from March 17 and will vary depending on route and fare type.
International airlines
Air France-KLM
Air France-KLM said it was raising long-haul ticket prices due to soaring jet fuel prices caused by the Middle East conflict.
"The current geopolitical situation in the Middle East has led to a sudden and significant increase in fuel prices, particularly kerosene. As a result, Air France and KLM are increasing their fares on long-haul flights for tickets issued from Wednesday, March 11," the group said in a statement.
Cathay Pacific
Effective March 18, Cathay Pacific will implement an increase to its fuel surcharge on all its fares.
The fuel surcharge on these flights will increase from $72,90 (R1 220) to $149,20 (R2 498), calculated per one-way journey.
For flights between Hong Kong and South Asia subcontinent, the surcharge will increase from US$33,80 (R566) to US$69,40 (R1 162).
Cathay Prime (NDC) and GDS content will be updated accordingly to reflect the revised fares.
Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines said its fares might fluctuate due to the current volatility between the rand and US dollar.
“We recommend quoting and ticketing same day to avoid potential changes in fare,” said Michael Thomas, the GM of Communications at Delta Air Lines.
“Delta’s fares can vary by market and over time and are influenced by a range of factors, including supply and demand, operating costs such as fuel, seasonality and competitive dynamics.”
Fares will remain subject to change until ticketed.
LATAM
LATAM Airlines has introduced a US$20 (R335) fee per sector, until further notice.
Its Cape Town-São Paulo flights will incorporate the fuel surcharges implemented by domestic airlines, operating the Cape Town-Johannesburg sector, and the US$20 (R335) for the Johannesburg- São Paulo leg, operated by LATAM.
Qantas
Qantas was one of the first airlines to announce an increase to its international fares, due to rising fuel costs, last week.
These increases will impact the airline’s South African routes, however the fare changes will vary from route to route.
“We are continuing to closely monitor the impact the conflict in the Middle East is having on the volatility in jet fuel prices, which have risen by up to 150% over the past fortnight. Despite hedging, this is driving up costs across the Group,” Qantas said in a statement.
Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic has imposed a surcharge to offset rising fuel costs.
“As a long-haul carrier, we can absorb short-term fuel spikes through hedging, efficiency, and pricing discipline. Still, sustained increases must ultimately be managed through fares and capacity to protect long-term financial stability,” said, Marc Harding, Country Manager South Africa for Virgin Atlantic.
