Jet fuel crisis threatens Southern Africa air links

The Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA) has warned that a deepening jet fuel crisis could disrupt air travel and cargo services across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, with supply certainty beyond May now in serious doubt.

Air transport is heavily exposed to fuel disruptions because it depends almost entirely on imported crude oil and refined Jet-A1 kerosene. AASA said airlines need confirmed supply certainty at least six weeks ahead to maintain schedules and meet obligations to passengers.

The crisis has its roots in the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which has led to disruptions at the Strait of Hormuz. Jet fuel prices across Southern Africa have more than trebled since mid-February, rising from around N$8.50 per litre to over N$30 per litre by mid-April. In landlocked countries such as Malawi, prices have surged to more than N$50.00 per litre.

Even if the Strait of Hormuz were reopened today, AASA warned that supply would not recover quickly. Several refineries in the Gulf have been damaged and will require months of repair or rebuilding before output returns to pre-crisis levels.

Jet fuel already accounted for up to 40% of operating costs for some carriers in the region before the current crisis. The latest price spike has prompted most SADC-based airlines to introduce fuel surcharges, while some have begun reducing flight frequencies and consolidating routes.

AASA called on fuel suppliers, depot operators, including airports, and all SADC member governments to share contingency fuel allocation and distribution plans with the aviation industry without delay. It also called for transparent updates on current fuel stocks, including orders awaiting delivery, the status of national strategic reserves, the conditions that would trigger their release, and how those reserves would be prioritised.

The association acknowledged the burden that higher ticket prices place on travellers and the wider economy, noting that air transport underpins not only passenger travel but also the movement of pharmaceuticals, perishables, e-commerce goods, courier shipments and high-value cargo.

AASA said airports and air navigation service providers must share the burden and not leave airlines to absorb the shock alone. It urged all aviation stakeholders to eliminate congestion and delays that waste fuel and compound costs at a time of acute pressure on the industry.