African Airlines Hit Hard as Jet Fuel Prices Soar Amid Middle East Conflict

Soaring jet fuel prices, driven by the US-Israeli war on Iran and disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, are hitting African airlines hardest. Fuel costs, which make up a large portion of operating expenses, have surged sharply, forcing carriers to negotiate prices on arrival and adjust fares. The crisis is straining airline operations and profitability across the continent, while Asia and Europe face similar challenges.

Airlines around the world are struggling to cope with rapidly rising jet fuel prices as the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran has created significant supply disruptions. The conflict has severely constrained fuel availability, leaving airlines grappling with volatile costs and forcing them to pass some of these expenses on to consumers through surcharges. Africa is particularly vulnerable to these pressures because of its reliance on fuel imports from the Middle East. According to financial and commodities analytics firm S&P Global, approximately 70% of the continent’s jet fuel and kerosene imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow but critical shipping channel.
Since the conflict escalated in late February, the movement of fuel from Middle Eastern refineries through the Strait of Hormuz has nearly halted. This stoppage has removed roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies from the market, exacerbating the global energy crunch and putting pressure on airlines everywhere.
Jannie de Klerk, executive director of flight operations at South Africa’s National Airways Corporation, which provides charter and air ambulance services, described the operational challenges caused by this instability. “You fly to airports across Southern, West and East Africa and you negotiate prices on arrival,” he explained. “By the time you get there, the price has changed. If the war continues, availability will become a problem. The instability of jet fuel prices makes it very challenging to move around.”
De Klerk recounted a recent return flight from Lanseria to Cape Town via St Helena to collect a medical emergency patient, noting that jet fuel prices jumped six rand ($0.355) per litre within just 10 hours, reaching R24 per litre between the outbound and return legs. “We now have to be very careful about how far ahead you quote for jobs; otherwise, you quote short and lose money instead of making money,” he said, highlighting the financial risk airlines face when fuel prices fluctuate so rapidly.
Jet fuel prices have surged to record levels worldwide since the conflict began. In north-west Europe, prices have approached $239 per barrel, according to LSEG data, while Asian jet fuel prices are nearing $200 per barrel, close to recent highs. These increases are being felt more acutely by African airlines, where fuel costs make up a larger share of operating expenses than the global average. The African Airlines Association reports that jet fuel accounts for between 30% and more than 40% of operating costs for regional carriers, compared with 20% to 25% globally.
South African low-cost carrier FlySafair said that jet fuel typically accounts for 50% to 55% of its direct operating costs and noted that the airline does not hedge fuel purchases. At current prices, the airline estimates an additional R35,000 ($2,071) per flight hour for each of its 37 Boeing 737-800 aircraft, which can operate up to 165 flights per day. Coastal airports in South Africa have seen fuel prices rise by 70% within a single week, putting significant financial strain on carriers.
While Asia is also heavily reliant on the Strait of Hormuz for fuel, many countries in the region maintain larger fuel inventories, providing some buffer against immediate supply disruptions. Some governments have introduced measures to protect domestic fuel supplies. China, the world’s largest oil importer, has banned exports of diesel, gasoline, and jet fuel until at least the end of March, according to sources, signaling efforts to safeguard local markets amid global supply volatility.
The combination of soaring fuel costs, limited availability, and rapid price fluctuations is forcing airlines to rethink operational strategies and pricing models. For many African carriers, where jet fuel constitutes a significant portion of overall costs, the crisis threatens both profitability and the ability to maintain regular flight schedules. Airlines are being compelled to negotiate prices on the ground, plan operations with extreme caution, and adjust fares more frequently to cope with one of the most turbulent periods for global aviation fuel in recent memory.