Africa-Press – Lesotho. The African Airlines Association has warned that the American-Israeli war on Iran has led to rising fuel prices and worsening supply disruptions, prompting airlines on the continent to review flight routes and reduce some services amid growing concerns about the stability of the African aviation network.
The association’s secretary-general, Abdurrahman Bertie, stated that the crisis has revealed the significant reliance of African airlines on imported refined fuel, making them more vulnerable to global shocks.
The association explained that African airlines were paying prices for aviation fuel that were about 17% higher than the global average even before the outbreak of the war in Iran, adding that new pressures are increasing the burdens on a sector that suffers from limited profit margins.
Bertie noted that fuel accounts for between 30% and 40% of the operating costs of airlines, emphasizing that any increase in its prices directly impacts their budgets.
He added that some airlines have imposed additional fuel charges; however, most cannot pass the full increase in costs onto passengers for fear of declining demand, forcing them to absorb part of the losses.
The aviation industry is closely monitoring developments in the Strait of Hormuz, through which about one-fifth of global oil and fuel supplies pass, after Iran effectively closed the strait to shipping traffic at the beginning of the war in February.
Bertie explained that supply disruptions have raised concerns in major aviation hubs, including Nairobi in Kenya and Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, where the continuous availability of aviation fuel is essential for sustaining regional and international operations.
He added that some airlines have already begun adjusting their operational networks, reducing the number of flights, and reassessing certain routes to cope with rising costs and uncertainty regarding supplies.
The crisis has revived calls to enhance local refining capacities in Africa and reduce dependence on imported refined fuel.
Bertie stated, “We need African solutions; many African countries are oil producers, yet we still rely on suppliers outside the continent for refined aviation fuel.”
He noted that there is increasing interest in projects like the Dangote refinery in Nigeria, which is expected to play a larger role in supplying several countries in the region with refined fuel, including Kenya, Ethiopia, and South Africa.
He pointed out that some aviation hubs, such as Addis Ababa, have already begun relying on supplies from the Dangote refinery, which could alleviate pressures on fuel supply chains during the current period.
Despite the mounting pressures, the African Airlines Association expects passenger traffic to grow by about 6% annually, exceeding many global markets.
However, Bertie warned that the continuation of these shocks could severely impact the profitability of airlines and the levels of air connectivity within the continent, emphasizing that securing the future of the African aviation sector requires ensuring the continent’s fuel sources.
