Travellers relying on air transport could potentially face higher ticket prices following the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority’s (EPRA) latest fuel price revision, which included an increase in kerosene costs and has already triggered disruptions in the transport sector, including a two-day Matatu strike.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

In its secondary monthly fuel review, EPRA  was compelled to increased kerosene prices by about Ksh38 per litre while diesel prices were slightly reduced by Ksh10 per litre. The shift came in the wake of pressure from the transport sector, including a recent strike that disrupted services on Monday and Tuesday.

Unbeknownst to many, the kerosene price hike will also come with its fair share of repercussions, particularly in aviation , since commercial aircrafts do not run on petrol or diesel.

Instead, aircraft run on a highly refined form of kerosene known globally as Jet A-1 fuel.

📌 What You Need to Know

With this in mind,  any movement in kerosene pricing often feeds directly into airline operating costs.

Kerosene became the foundation of modern aviation fuel in the early 20th century after proving more stable and energy-efficient than petrol. Over time, it evolved into Jet A-1 fuel, now used by virtually all commercial airlines worldwide.

Its dominance in aviation is engineered to perform under extreme and highly specific conditions that aircraft encounter in flight.

At cruising altitudes of around 35,000 feet, external temperatures can drop to nearly minus 50°C. Jet fuel is designed with a freezing point of about minus 47°C, ensuring it remains fluid and usable even in those conditions.

It also has a high flash point, meaning it is far less likely to ignite unintentionally during storage and refuelling on the ground—an essential safety requirement in busy airport environments.

Unlike petrol, kerosene burns in a controlled and predictable manner inside jet engines. This stability is critical because aircraft engines must deliver consistent thrust without risk of premature ignition or combustion irregularities.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke