Air Algérie, the national airline of Algeria, was established in 1947 and has since served as the country’s flagship carrier, providing transportation connectivity both domestically and internationally. The airline’s development mirrors Algeria’s complex history, encompassing its struggle for independence, economic transformations, and efforts to modernize its transport infrastructure.
The primary hub of Air Algérie is located at Houari Boumediene International Airport in the capital city of Algiers. The second key hub is Ahmed Ben Bella Airport in Oran, Algeria’s second-largest city. Air Algérie operates over 80 destinations, including 33 domestic routes and 42 international routes across 28 countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, and North America, facilitating the transportation of passengers and cargo.
Foundation and Early Years
The history of Air Algérie began with the creation of Compagnie Générale de Transports Aériens (CGTA) in 1946, which operated charter flights between Algeria and Europe. In 1953, CGTA merged with Compagnie Air Transport (CAT) to form Compagnie Générale de Transports Aériens Air Algérie.
The airline’s initial fleet consisted of one Breguet 761, six Breguet Bretagne, five DC-3s, and three DC-4s, serving routes to European cities such as Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, and Geneva. Following the merger, Air Algérie introduced seasonal flights to Ajaccio, Clermont, Montpellier, and Perpignan, as well as regular flights to Switzerland and weekly stops in Palma de Mallorca in collaboration with the Spanish airline Aviaco.
By the late 1950s, the airline expanded its route network to include the French Riviera. In 1957, the fleet was augmented with two Noratlas aircraft, followed by a third in 1958. In 1958, Air Algérie became the first private French company to order jet-powered Caravelle aircraft, with the first arriving in January 1960. These were deployed on the Algiers–Paris route, followed by Paris–Oran and Paris–Bone. By April 1960, the fleet comprised three Caravelles, three DC-3s, ten DC-4s, and two Lockheed L-749 Constellations. During this expansion, Caravelles gradually replaced Constellations and DC-4s, which were reassigned to cargo operations or sold.
Independence: Emergence as a National Carrier
Following Algeria’s independence in 1962, Air Algérie’s ownership structure changed, with the Algerian government acquiring a controlling stake. By 1963, the state’s share increased to 51%, solidifying the airline’s status as the national carrier.
In 1964, a contract was signed for the delivery of two Il-18 aircraft for flights to Moscow, though only one was delivered and used by the government. By March 1970, the fleet included one Boeing 737-200, five Caravelles, four CV-640s, three DC-3s, and one DC-4, serving domestic routes such as Algiers–Oran and Algiers–Constantine, as well as international destinations, primarily in France and Switzerland.
In 1972, Air Algérie absorbed the domestic carrier Société de Travail Aérien, strengthening its presence in the domestic market and extending coverage to remote regions, including the Sahara. In August 1972, three Fokker F27-400s were ordered, followed by two Boeing 737-200s, including a convertible model, in September. In 1975, the airline launched a route to Karachi, and in 1979, it ordered four Boeing 727s for $62 million, enabling expanded flights to Europe and the Middle East, including Cairo and Beirut.
Late 20th Century: Modernization and Expansion
In the 1980s, Air Algérie underwent several reorganizations. In 1983, it was split into separate domestic and international entities, but these were reunited in 1984. In 1997, Air Algérie was transformed into a joint-stock company with a capital of 2.5 billion Algerian dinars, enabling investments for fleet modernization. In 1998, the airline ordered ten next-generation Boeing 737s (seven 737-800s and three 737-600s), replacing aging Boeing 727-200s and 737-200s. The first Boeing 737-800s were delivered in August 2000 and, from 2001, began serving regional and medium-haul routes to cities such as Paris, Marseille, Tunis, and Casablanca. In May 2002, Air Algérie became the fifth airline globally to receive Boeing 737-600s, which were used on less busy routes like Lyon and Barcelona. In 2003, the airline ordered five Airbus A330-200s to replace Airbus A310s, Boeing 747-200s, and three Boeing 767-300s, as well as nine ATR 72-500s, which replaced Fokker F27s. These additions expanded the domestic network, including routes to Tamanrasset and Adrar, and international routes to Europe and the Middle East.
21st Century: International Presence and Challenges
In the 21st century, Air Algérie continued to expand its international network. In 2007, it launched the Algiers–Montreal route, operated by Airbus A330-200s, a significant step for connecting with the Algerian diaspora in Canada. In 2009, the Algiers–Beijing route was introduced, strengthening the airline’s presence in Asia.
By 2015, Air Algérie served 32 domestic and 43 international destinations, holding a 46% share of Algeria’s international passenger market, particularly on routes to Spain and France. In 2015, the fleet was bolstered by two Boeing 737-700s, eight Boeing 737-800s, and three Airbus A330-200s, enabling increased flight frequencies to West Africa (Abidjan, Ouagadougou, Niamey, Dakar) and the launch of a route to Douala. In 2023, Air Algérie began flights to Johannesburg, and in 2024, it announced plans to launch a route to New York (JFK).
The current fleet includes 25 Boeing 737-800s, five Boeing 737-600s, two Boeing 737-700s, eight Airbus A330-200s, and fifteen ATR 72s (three ATR 72-600s and twelve ATR 72-500s), serving both short domestic routes and long-haul flights to destinations like Beijing and Montreal.
However, Air Algérie’s development has faced challenges. In 2003, the airline experienced its worst disaster when a Boeing 737-200 crashed in Tamanrasset, claiming 102 lives. This incident underscored the need for enhanced safety and maintenance standards. Additionally, Air Algérie faced criticism for high operational costs, such as maintaining expensive overseas offices, which proved inefficient amid the rise of online ticket sales.
Role in Algeria’s Economy and Society
Air Algérie remains a vital component of Algeria’s transport infrastructure, connecting remote regions and supporting international tourism and trade. The airline actively supports the Algerian diaspora, for instance, by subsidizing tickets for Algerians living in France, as seen in the 2009 “Solidarity with Low-Income Emigrants” program. Air Algérie also maintains codeshare agreements with airlines like Turkish Airlines and Air France, optimizing international operations.
Future Prospects
Today, Air Algérie continues to adapt to changes in the aviation industry while facing competition from European and Middle Eastern carriers, such as Aigle Azur and Air Méditerranée. In 2023, the airline signed a contract with Airbus for five A330-900s and two A350-1000s and secured leases for ten additional aircraft, including Boeing 737-800s, Boeing 737-9 MAXs, and Airbus A330-200s, to expand long-haul and cross-African routes. These initiatives will strengthen its global market position. Air Algérie remains a symbol of Algeria’s national identity, reflecting its historical struggle for independence and ambitions for economic development.