Jet fuel supplies remain steady at most major African airports, but airlines are increasingly adding surcharges as short-term availability risks and price volatility emerge as top concerns for flight planning and operations, according to the African Airlines Association (AFRAA).

"AFRAA and its members will work closely with fuel suppliers to implement contingency measures to support flight operations," a spokesperson told ch-aviation. He assured that the association, which represents 45 member airlines across 29 countries, is intensifying its monitoring of fuel-related Notice to Air Missions (NOTAMs) in Africa to alert its members.

Southern Africa

Southern Africa has sufficient Jet-A1 stocks until the end of May, according to fuel suppliers and the Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA).

"We expect an imminent update from the suppliers to clarify the situation beyond May," said Aaron Munetsi, CEO of the Airlines Association of Southern Africa, which represents 16 airlines and participates in regular fuel forum meetings with ACSA and suppliers.

"ACSA’s indicated stock levels at Johannesburg O.R. Tambo, Cape Town International, and Durban King Shaka airports are better than usual for this time of year. However, this is attributable to the Gulf carriers operating reduced schedules and not uplifting as much fuel as they would under normal circumstances," he said.

ACSA spokesperson Ofentse Dijoe confirmed sufficient stocks. O.R. Tambo International holds five to six days of fuel cover, Cape Town International four to five days, and Durban's King Shaka more than 15 days.

Suppliers are working to meet demand, he said, while South Africa's NATREF refinery in Sasolburg continues to supply the most fuel to O.R. Tambo, with no immediate disruptions expected.

Airlines confirmed that supply is stable, but rising costs and longer-term structural risks remain a concern. Airlink (South Africa) CEO de Villiers Engelbrecht said the airline had adjusted capacity and reduced some rotations but avoided route cancellations.

"A jet fuel sharing mechanism for Africa will be very difficult to implement, but we may face fuel rationing, which will lead to the grounding of aircraft," he commented.

Global Aviation Operations is not seeing immediate shortages or operational constraints and is managing the situation through supplier coordination, fuel planning, and schedule flexibility, flight operations director Des Warden highlighted.

"That said, there are underlying risks: mainly reliance on imports, reduced local refining capacity, and some infrastructure limitations, which mean the system has a limited buffer if disrupted," he warned.

Lift Airlines CCO Cilliers Jordaan said fuel suppliers had indicated secured arrangements beyond June. Rising fuel prices are already driving some cancellations on cost grounds, he added, but reduced demand from schedule rationalisation may help extend supply.

FlySafair marketing manager Kirby Gordon said operations remain stable and that the airline is assured of adequate fuel supply, while continuing to monitor developments.

West Africa

Air Peace said that Nigerian airports are not experiencing a jet fuel shortage, but airlines are grappling with inconsistent supply at some locations and persistently high fuel prices that remain a major cost burden.

CCO Nowel Ngala said the airline is managing fuel planning, aircraft deployment, and route performance to maintain schedule reliability. "If the situation worsens, airlines may eventually need to review frequencies or consolidate certain flights, but our priority remains to avoid disruption to passengers wherever possible."

Ngala suggested that a broader regional coordination framework, potentially led by the African Union or AFRAA, could help improve fuel supply security and reduce price volatility across the continent through stronger collaboration.

Africa World Airlines said operations in Ghana remain stable, with steady fuel supply and no plans to cancel or consolidate flights or ground aircraft. However, according to COO Sohail Mahmood, conditions vary widely across Africa, with some markets facing more strain due to uneven supply and pricing.

He said Africa’s aviation sector remains fragmented and less regulated than Europe, making coordinated fuel management difficult, and infrastructure gaps further complicate standardised responses.

East Africa

Jet fuel remains readily available across Kenyan airports, though prices have nearly doubled from USD0.74 to USD1.40 per litre, according to Astral Aviation CEO Sanjeev Gadhia.

He said the cargo carrier is not planning to ground aircraft, citing reliable fuel supply at its Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta hub.

However, he noted an increase in freighter aircraft from other African regions making technical fuel stops in Kenya. Astral Aviation is lobbying regulators to consider restricting fuel access for ad hoc operators to manage local demand pressures, he said.