FlySafair Says No Cancellations Despite OR Tambo Fuel Limits

In Short

• FlySafair says it is not planning to cancel flights, despite jet fuel supply limits at OR Tambo International Airport.
• Sasol Oil has reduced supply after an unplanned shutdown at the Natref refinery.
• It is still unclear if ticket prices will rise, or if other airports will be affected.

What Happened

FlySafair said it will keep operating as planned this week, even as jet fuel supply is limited at OR Tambo International Airport. The airline said it has contingencies in place to secure fuel from suppliers with available stock, and it is monitoring the situation.

The statement follows an unplanned shutdown at Natref, South Africa’s only inland crude-oil refinery. Sasol Oil said a downstream unit stopped unexpectedly, which reduced its ability to meet full supply commitments for some fuel grades. A downstream unit is a later-stage part of the refinery that helps turn crude oil into usable fuels like jet fuel.

Sasol Oil said it will continue to partially supply jet fuel customers at OR Tambo while mitigation measures are implemented. It also said Natref is working to restore normal operations as soon as possible.

Airports Company South Africa had not yet publicly detailed what additional steps it would take to prevent broader disruptions at the airport at the time of reporting. Bloomberg also reported that the Department of Energy convened an emergency meeting with ACSA and the Fuels Industry Association of Southern Africa.

Why It Matters

OR Tambo is the country’s busiest airport, and jet fuel constraints can quickly ripple into delays, aircraft re-routing, and higher operating costs for airlines.

For travelers and businesses, the key near-term question is whether airlines will pass on any extra fuel logistics costs through higher fares. Fuel is a major input cost for aviation, and even short supply disruptions can affect pricing and schedules.

For the wider travel ecosystem in South Africa, this is another reminder that refinery reliability and inland fuel logistics remain critical infrastructure risks, especially when a single facility like Natref plays an outsized role in supply.