Flying FlySafair in December? Your fuel surcharge is R695 per flight
FlySafair's fuel surcharge adds R695.75 per person to each Joburg to Cape Town flight and stays until 27 March 2027. Here's the amount on every route, what December fares look like and the new Airlink Lanseria option.
If you book a FlySafair flight for December now, you'll pay a fuel surcharge of R695.75 per person on each Johannesburg to Cape Town flight, on top of the fare. A return trip for a family of four adds R5,566 just in surcharges. The airline says the fee stays on flights departing up to 27 March 2027 unless fuel prices settle sooner (FlySafair).
How much is the FlySafair fuel surcharge on your route?
FlySafair charges the surcharge per passenger, per flight segment, in both directions. The amounts below are the ones on its website, last updated on 20 October 2026.
| Route | Surcharge per flight |
|---|---|
| Johannesburg (OR Tambo) to Cape Town | R695.75 |
| Lanseria to Cape Town | R688.85 |
| Cape Town to Durban | R702.65 |
| Johannesburg to Durban | R384.10 |
| Lanseria to Durban | R397.90 |
| Johannesburg to George | R609.50 |
| Cape Town to George | R318.55 |
| Johannesburg to Gqeberha | R530.15 |
| Cape Town to Gqeberha | R437.00 |
| Johannesburg to East London | R489.90 |
| Cape Town to East London | R516.35 |
| Johannesburg to Bloemfontein | R331.20 |
| Johannesburg to Nelspruit | R304.75 |
| Cape Town to Nelspruit or Hoedspruit | R834.90 |
| Johannesburg to Mauritius | R1,210.00 |
| Johannesburg to Zanzibar | R1,026.00 |
Source: FlySafair fuel surcharge route table
The full list, including Windhoek, Harare, Victoria Falls and Lusaka, is on FlySafair's surcharge page.
Who has to pay it?
Anyone whose ticket was booked after 12 March 2026. If you booked before that date, your price doesn't change, but the surcharge kicks in if you change that booking (FlySafair).
FlySafair says it has never charged a fuel surcharge before. It introduced this one after Jet A1 prices at South Africa's coastal airports jumped by about 70% in a single week, following the conflict in the Middle East that started in late February (FlySafair).
Will the surcharge come down before December?
Possibly, but don't count on it. FlySafair says it reviews the amount regularly and will cut or remove it when fuel prices stabilise (FlySafair). The fee is shown as a separate line before you pay, so check the total on the booking screen rather than the headline fare.
What are December flights costing right now?
A check of the cheapest one-way economy fares on Travelstart, published by Vista Voyage on 30 October, gives a rough picture:
| Route | Cheapest day | Most expensive day |
|---|---|---|
| Johannesburg to Cape Town, 1 to 24 December | R1,899 (1 Dec) | R2,909 (22 to 24 Dec) |
| Johannesburg to Durban, 1 to 24 December | R1,219 (1, 2 and 6 Dec) | R1,449 |
| Cape Town to Johannesburg, return leg in January | R1,659 (14 Jan) | R3,099 (2 to 4 Jan) |
Source: Vista Voyage December fare calendar
Those are snapshot prices for one adult and will move as seats sell. FlySafair and LIFT fares in that check were cabin bag only, while SAA, Airlink and CemAir included a checked bag, so compare like with like (Vista Voyage).
Is there a new route that could help?
Yes, if you live on Joburg's western side or in North West. Airlink starts twice-daily flights between Cape Town and Lanseria on 4 December 2026, its first scheduled domestic route into Lanseria, using 98-seat Embraer E190 jets (Airlink).
| Flight | From | Departs | To | Arrives |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4Z 962 | Cape Town | 09:20 | Lanseria | 11:35 |
| 4Z 966 | Cape Town | 13:30 | Lanseria | 15:45 |
| 4Z 965 | Lanseria | 09:10 | Cape Town | 11:35 |
| 4Z 963 | Lanseria | 13:00 | Cape Town | 15:25 |
Source: Airlink route announcement, 6 October 2026
Airlink plans to go to four return flights a day from 22 March 2027 (Airlink).
How can you keep the cost down?
- Check the total price on the payment screen, where FlySafair lists the surcharge separately.
- Factor in luggage: a cheaper cabin-bag-only fare can end up dearer than a fare that includes a checked bag.
- Look at the days either side of your plan. In the Travelstart check, the cheapest Johannesburg to Cape Town day was R1,010 less than the dearest.
- Avoid changing a booking made before 12 March 2026 unless you need to, because a change adds the surcharge.
FAQ
How much is FlySafair's fuel surcharge from Johannesburg to Cape Town?
R695.75 per passenger per flight, in each direction, according to FlySafair's route table updated on 20 October 2026.
Until when does the FlySafair fuel surcharge apply?
FlySafair says it applies to flights departing on or before 27 March 2027, and may be cut or removed sooner if fuel prices stabilise.
Do I pay the surcharge if I booked before 12 March 2026?
No. Bookings made before 12 March 2026 keep their price, but the surcharge applies if you change the booking.
When do Airlink's Cape Town to Lanseria flights start?
On 4 December 2026, with two flights a day in each direction on Embraer E190 jets.