FlySafair has extended the temporary surcharge on its ticket prices as airlines continue to feel the impact of rising global fuel costs linked to conflict in the Middle East.
The fuel surcharge, first introduced in March, will now remain in place until at least August, although the airline says the timeline could still change depending on developments in global oil markets.
FlySafair says outlook remains uncertain
FlySafair chief marketing officer Kirby Gordon told Moneyweb that the airline initially believed the disruption might be short-lived.
However, as tensions and supply pressures continued, the carrier decided to extend the surcharge to flights operating in the foreseeable future.
“The biggest shift since the outset of the conflict has really been the timeline,” Gordon said.
He added that the surcharge is reviewed weekly and is not fixed permanently.
“There have already been some periods where we’ve been able to reduce it marginally as market conditions eased slightly,” he said.
Expansion plans affected
The volatile fuel environment is also influencing broader airline planning.
According to Gordon, conditions are currently not ideal for launching aggressive expansion strategies or any new routes.
Instead, FlySafair’s focus has shifted toward maintaining core connectivity while managing costs as efficiently as possible.
Schedules and operational plans are always being adjusted to improve efficiency, but fluctuating fuel prices and uncertain consumer demand are making planning more difficult than usual.
FlySafair said it has modelled several possible scenarios, ranging from a relatively quick stabilisation in fuel markets to a prolonged period of higher prices and geopolitical uncertainty.
