African airlines are coming under mounting pressure from soaring jet fuel prices as disruption in the Strait of Hormuz tightens global supply and exposes the continent’s heavy dependence on imported fuel.
The Strait, a critical shipping lane for global energy exports, has been severely disrupted since the outbreak of the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran last month. Reuters reported that traffic through the waterway has been heavily curtailed, threatening roughly a fifth of global oil and gas flows and sending energy markets sharply higher. Brent crude climbed above $112 a barrel this week as traders priced in the risk of a prolonged supply shock.
Africa is particularly vulnerable because around 70% of its jet fuel and kerosene imports normally transit through Hormuz, according to Reuters reporting on the impact of the crisis on the continent’s aviation sector. With cargo movements disrupted and inventories limited, airlines are facing a rapidly worsening fuel squeeze just as many carriers are already operating on thin margins.
Fuel is one of the largest costs for any airline, but the burden is heavier in Africa than in many other regions. Reuters reported that jet fuel now accounts for around 30% to 40% of operating costs for many African airlines, compared with a lower global average, while for some low-cost carriers the share can rise to as much as 55%. The volatility is making it harder for operators to forecast costs, set fares and manage routes profitably.
The pressure is already being felt across the market. Reuters said South African carrier FlySafair estimated the crisis was adding about 35,000 rand per flight hour, while fuel prices at some coastal airports had jumped by 70% in a single week. Limited storage and refining capacity across the continent are adding to the strain, with some countries holding only days or a few weeks of supply.
That leaves airlines in a difficult position. Operators cannot lock in fares too far in advance without risking losses if fuel prices spike again, yet passing on the full increase to passengers could weaken already fragile demand. Industry pressure is building for surcharges, schedule adjustments and, in some cases, capacity cuts if the disruption persists.
For Africa’s aviation sector, the crisis is more than a temporary cost shock. It is exposing the structural vulnerability created by dependence on imported jet fuel and narrow supply chains at a time of extreme geopolitical uncertainty.
