Petrobras announced that aviation kerosene distributors will pay an 18% price increase [1] instead of the originally projected 54.8% to 55% rise [1, 3].
This measure aims to shield Brazilian airlines from a sudden, massive spike in operational costs. By reducing the immediate financial burden, the state oil company seeks to prevent a sharp increase in ticket prices and maintain stability in the national aviation sector [3, 4].
The company originally announced a price adjustment ranging from 54.63% [5] to 55% [3]. Under the new arrangement, the price of aviation kerosene reached R$5.49530 per litre [5]. However, the state company is implementing a special adherence term to mitigate the impact of this volatility.
Under this agreement, distributors will absorb the initial 18% increase [1]. The remaining difference between the 18% rate and the higher projected hike will be paid in installments [1]. These payments are scheduled to begin in July 2026 and can be spread across up to six installments [1].
This decision follows a period of significant price volatility for aviation fuel. The gap between the market-driven price hike and the 18% cap represents a strategic effort to spread the cost over several months rather than requiring an immediate lump-sum payment from distributors [1, 2].
The move is intended to provide a buffer for the aviation industry as it navigates the higher costs of fuel, which remains one of the most significant expenses for commercial carriers in Brazil [4].
“Distributors will pay an 18% increase instead of the originally projected 54.8% to 55% rise.”
This arrangement functions as a financial bridge for the aviation industry. By decoupling the market price increase from the immediate payment requirement, Petrobras is effectively granting a short-term credit line to distributors. This prevents a sudden liquidity crisis for airlines but does not eliminate the cost increase; it merely delays the full impact of the 55% hike, which will materialize as the installments are paid through the end of 2026.
