Rising Jet Fuel Costs Constrain Air Access as East Africa’s Tourism Recovery Faces New Pressure
Jet fuel prices in East Africa have surged due to Middle East supply disruptions, forcing airlines like Kenya Airways and Turkish Airlines to cut capacity and adjust operations. This comes as the region's tourism sector, led by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, was recovering from the pandemic.
Jet fuel prices rose sharply in East Africa between February and April 2026 due to supply disruptions linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. In Kenya, prices increased from $0.74 to $1.40 per liter, forcing airlines to adjust operations. Kenya Airways reduced flights to the Middle East by 20% to 30%, while Turkish Airlines suspended 10 African routes. The region's tourism sector, which had recovered to pre-pandemic levels, now faces renewed risk as air connectivity tightens. Airlines are responding to rising fuel costs by increasing ticket prices, reducing frequencies, or withdrawing from less profitable routes. East Africa's tourism rebound, led by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, is being reshaped by the aviation industry's response to the fuel shock.
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