Rising global oil prices have forced South Africa’s low‑cost airline, FlySafair, to introduce a temporary fuel surcharge as it grapples with sharply higher jet‑fuel costs linked to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. The airline says the price of Jet A1 fuel at South Africa’s coastal airports has surged by about 70% in just one week.

With no clear end in sight to the conflict, and continued volatility in global energy markets, FlySafair says the surcharge is necessary to sustain its operations and maintain service levels without compromising safety.

Thami Ngubeni spoke to Aviation Analyst Dr Guy Leitch.