Jet fuel prices at some South African airports have surged by 70% in just one week, and the impact is already starting to hit the aviation industry. In this episode of Number of the Day, Gareth Edwards and Francis Herd unpack why the sudden spike in Jet A1 fuel matters, why airline ticket prices are under pressure, and what South Africans can expect next.
The episode looks at FlySafair’s decision to introduce a temporary fuel surcharge from 12 March 2026, applying to flights departing on or before 12 May 2026, while other airlines monitor the same cost shock. The hosts also wrestle with the question many travellers will be asking: if airlines often buy fuel in advance, is it fair for passengers to feel the impact so quickly?
Beyond the aviation maths, this is really a story about everyday affordability. For business travellers, families, tourists and anyone trying to move around the country, a fuel shock like this can quickly turn flying from a convenience into a luxury.
70%. A single number that opens up a much bigger question: how long before global conflict and energy volatility reshape the cost of everyday life in South Africa? #eNCA
