Air Algérie

Air Algérie

File:Air Algerie logo.svg Logo used since 2023
Company type	Joint Stock Company (J.S.C)
Industry	Airline
Founded	1946
Headquarters	Algiers , Algeria
Area served	Domestic and international (33 domestic locations; 42 international destinations in 28 countries)
Key people	Hamza Benhamouda (CEO, as of August 2024)
Products	Passenger and cargo air transport, charter flights, Hajj pilgrimage transport
Owner	Government of Algeria (100% as of 2013)
Number of employees	Approximately 8,768 (2019) (2019)
Website	www.airalgerie.dz

Air Algérie SpA (, ) stands as the national airline of Algeria, with its main offices located within the El-Djazair building in Algiers. The airline's primary hubs are Houari Boumediene Airport in Algiers and Ahmed Ben Bella Airport in Oran. Air Algérie operates flights to 33 domestic locations and 42 international destinations spanning 28 countries across Europe, North America, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. As of 2013, it remains entirely owned by the Government of Algeria.

Establishment and Initial Development

The year 1946 saw the creation of Compagnie Générale de Transports Aériens (CGTA), which began charter services between Algeria and Europe in 1947. By the end of that decade, CGTA had established scheduled flights connecting cities such as Algiers, Basel, Bône, Geneva, Marseille, Paris, Philippeville, and Toulouse. Its fleet in 1952 consisted of three 34-seat Bretagne aircraft along with seven DC-3 planes. Simultaneously, Compagnie Air Transport (CAT), a subsidiary jointly owned by Air France and Compagnie Générale Transatlantique, operated routes linking Basel, Lyon, Marseille, Paris, and Toulouse with Algerian cities including Algiers, Constantine, and Oran. Seasonal flights to London were also part of its offerings. A decline in passenger numbers after 1951 led to discussions about merging the two companies.

On 23 May 1953, CGTA and CAT unified to establish Compagnie Générale de Transports Aériens Air Algérie, combining a fleet comprising one Breguet 761, six Bretagne aircraft, five DC-3s, and three DC-4s. Following this consolidation, Air Algérie expanded its seasonal routes to include destinations such as Ajaccio, Clermont-Ferrand, Montpellier, and Perpignan. Switzerland was incorporated into regular schedules, while weekly stops at Palma de Mallorca were operated in collaboration with Aviaco. The majority of trans-Mediterranean flights were conducted under a pooling arrangement with Air France, which managed 54% of these services. Flights servicing the French Riviera began in the late 1950s.

In July 1957, the airline added two Noratlas planes to its fleet, followed by a third in the subsequent year. Early in 1958, Air Algérie became the first private French carrier to place an order for the jet-powered Sud-Aviation Caravelle, receiving its initial aircraft in January 1960. The Caravelle was initially deployed on the Algiers–Paris route and subsequently on services between Paris–Bône and Paris–Oran. By April 1960, Air Algérie's fleet included three Caravelles, three DC-3s, ten DC-4s, two Lockheed L-749 Constellations, and three Noratlases. Over time, Caravelles replaced Constellations and DC-4s on passenger routes; older planes were reassigned for cargo operations or sold.

Independence of Algeria

Prior to Algeria achieving independence in 1962, ownership of Air Algérie was dominated (98%) by two shipping companies: Compagnie Générale Transatlantique and Compagnie de Navigation Mixte. Following independence, control shifted primarily to the Délégation Générale in Algeria alongside Air France. In March 1963, these shareholders relinquished a 31% stake, enabling the Algerian government to acquire a majority interest of 51% and designate Air Algérie as the national flag carrier. By April 1964, government ownership increased further to 57%. That same year marked the signing of a contract for two Ilyushin Il-18 aircraft intended for service on the Algiers–Moscow route; however, only one was delivered and subsequently used by governmental authorities. By April 1968, the fleet consisted of eight DC-4s and four former Lufthansa Convair 440s converted into CV-640s to replace aging DC-4 models. Charter flights made up as much as one-fifth of operations.

By March 1970, government ownership had risen to 83%, with a fleet comprising one Boeing 737-200, five Caravelles, four CV-640s, three DC-3s, and one DC-4. In May 1972, Air Algérie acquired domestic airline Société de Travail Aérien. That year also saw orders placed for three Fokker F27-400 aircraft valued at £2.5 million, followed by two additional Boeing 737 models including one convertible version. The Algerian government secured full ownership by purchasing the remaining 17.74% stake from Air France in 1973. New international routes launched included Karachi in 1975. In November 1979, an order for four Boeing 727 jets amounting to US$62 million was placed.

By mid-1980, Air Algérie employed approximately 5,621 personnel and operated a varied fleet of 57 aircraft including Ag-Cats; Boeing 727-200s and Boeing 737-200s (with convertible variants); a Boeing 747-200C; Convair CV-640s; Douglas DC-8-63CF; Nord 262s; and Beechcraft Queen Airs. The airline provided scheduled international flights throughout Europe, North Africa, the USSR region as well as an extensive domestic network. In January 1981, orders were made for three Lockheed L-100-30 freighters with first delivery mid-year. Additional purchases included a Boeing 727-200 and a Boeing 737-200 later that November. Three more Boeing 737-200 units were ordered for US$50 million in 1983.

In 1984, Air Algérie became Airbus's forty-eighth customer by ordering two Airbus A310 aircraft. That year also saw the establishment of Inter Air Services (IAS), created to operate domestic and regional routes using Fokker F27 planes on behalf of Air Algérie; by March 1985 IAS connected numerous Algerian cities such as Adrar, Algiers, Bechar, Ghardaia, Oran, and Tamanrasset. Employee numbers had grown to approximately 6,788 by this time. In 1989, an order was placed for three Boeing 767-300 aircraft valued at US$264 million.

The initial Boeing 767-300 arrived mid-1990 amid a restructuring effort extending through to 1995 following losses amounting to US$64 million that year alongside debts reaching US$402 million due to currency depreciation. This restructuring phase ultimately restored profitability with a reported net gain of US$14.5 million in 1992.

In collaboration with Sonatrach, Air Algérie co-established Tassili Airlines in 1998; its original shareholding of 49% was transferred entirely to Sonatrach by 2005.

Company Modernization

Air Algérie transitioned into a limited liability company in 1997. By 2006, its share capital had grown to 57 billion dinars, roughly equivalent to €560 million. The airline maintains a distribution network comprising 150 sales offices both domestically and internationally, all connected to global distribution systems (GDS) subscribed to by Air Algérie. It operates as a Joint Stock Company (J.S.C) with a registered capital of 43 billion DA. In November 2010, the airline revealed plans for a €400 million investment aimed at renewing its fleet, scheduled to commence in 2011.

Financial Performance

In recent years, Air Algérie has experienced financial deficits. The airline does not consistently publish full Annual Reports; however, available fiscal data (ending December 31 each year) indicate an increase in revenue alongside ongoing operating losses and variable net profits. Noteworthy statistics include passenger numbers escalating from 2.9 million in 2007 to over 6 million by 2019, with load factors improving from 57% to beyond 75%. Meanwhile, the fleet expanded from 39 aircraft in 2009 to approximately 56 by 2022.

	Revenue (DA b)	Operating Income (DA b)	Net Income (DA b)	Staff	Passengers (millions)	Load Factor (%)	Cargo (000 tonnes)	Fleet Size (year-end)
2007	49.4				2.9	57	14.7
2009	58.1	2.2	4.0	8,898	3.5		13.5	39
2012	65.6	2.7	2.8	9,563	4.3	66.4	11.3	43
2015	80.6	−2.5	0.1	8,610	5.5	69.7	15.3	54
2017	96.0	−9.3	−2.9	8,768	6.3	72	17.7	58
2019				6.6	75.1	17.1	57

Ownership Structure and Affiliates

As of the year 2013, Air Algérie is entirely state-owned as a joint stock company.

The principal subsidiaries include:

• Technics Air Algérie
• Air Algérie Catering, which employs around 2,000 personnel responsible for meal preparation on all flights departing Algeria
• Air Algérie Cargo
• Air Algérie Handling

Additionally, the airline provides charter flights supporting oil industry operations and facilitates transport during the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

Management

Hamza Benhamouda holds the position of Chief Executive Officer as of August 2024.

Brand Identity

Founded in Algiers in 1966, Air Algérie's emblem incorporates a swallow, symbolizing Algeria's national identity. This logo underwent a redesign in 2023 featuring an updated font and a stylized swallow illustration.

Network

Air Algérie inaugurated its Algiers–Montreal service in June 2007 and commenced flights to Beijing by February 2009. By September 2012, it commanded a market share of approximately 46% on international routes and dominated connections between Algeria and Spain, with six out of its top ten international destinations located in France.

By October 2015, the airline's domestic network encompassed flights to thirty-two Algerian cities from its main base at Houari Boumediene Airport, alongside an international network covering forty-three destinations.

As of December 2023, Air Algérie operates across seventy-eight routes spanning thirty-three countries.

Country	City	Airport	Remarks
Algeria	Adrar	Touat-Cheikh Sidi Mohamed Belkebir Airport
	Algiers	Houari Boumediene Airport	Template:Airline hub
	Annaba	Rabah Bitat Airport
	Batna	Mostépha Ben Boulaid Airport
	Béchar	Boudghene Ben Ali Lotfi Airport
	Béjaïa	Abane Ramdane Airport
	Biskra	Biskra Airport
	Bordj Badji Mokhtar	Bordj Badji Mokhtar Airport
	Chlef	Chlef International Airport
	Constantine	Mohamed Boudiaf International Airport
	Djanet	Djanet Inedbirene Airport
	El Bayadh	El Bayadh Airport
	El Golea	El Golea Airport
	El Oued	Guemar Airport
	Ghardaïa	Noumérat – Moufdi Zakaria Airport

|- Austria || Vienna || Vienna International Airport || |- Belgium || Brussels || Brussels Airport || |- Belgium || Charleroi || Brussels South Charleroi Airport || |- Burkina Faso || Ouagadougou || Thomas Sankara International Airport || |- Cameroon || Douala || Douala International Airport || |- Canada || Montréal || Montréal–Trudeau International Airport || |- China || Beijing || Beijing Capital International Airport || |- Egypt || Cairo || Cairo International Airport || |- Ethiopia || Addis Ababa || Addis Ababa Bole International Airport || |- rowspan=10 | France

| Bordeaux || Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport ||

|-

| Lille || Lille Airport ||

|-

| Lyon || Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport ||

|-

| Marseille || Marseille Provence Airport ||

|-

| Metz || Metz–Nancy–Lorraine Airport ||

|-

| Montpellier || Montpellier–Méditerranée Airport ||

|-

| Nice || Nice Côte d'Azur Airport ||

|-

| Paris (Charles de Gaulle) || Charles de Gaulle Airport ||

|-

| Paris (Orly) || Orly Airport ||

|-

| Toulouse || Toulouse–Blagnac Airport ||

|- Germany || Frankfurt || Frankfurt Airport || |- Hungary || Budapest || Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport || |- Italy || Milan || Milan Malpensa Airport || |- Italy || Rome || Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport || |- Ivory Coast || Abidjan || Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport || |- Jordan || Amman || Queen Alia International Airport || |- Lebanon || Beirut || Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport || |- Mali || Bamako || Modibo Keita International Airport || |- Mauritania || Nouakchott || Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport || |- Niger || Niamey || Diori Hamani International Airport || |- Portugal || Lisbon || Lisbon Airport || |- Portugal || Porto || Porto Airport || |- Qatar || Doha || Hamad International Airport || |- rowspan=2 | Russia

| Moscow || Sheremetyevo International Airport ||

|-

| Saint Petersburg || Pulkovo Airport ||

|- Senegal || Dakar || Blaise Diagne International Airport || |- rowspan=5 | Spain

| Alicante || Alicante–Elche Miguel Hernández Airport ||

|-

| Barcelona || Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport ||

|-

| Madrid || Madrid–Barajas Airport ||

|-

| Palma de Mallorca || Palma de Mallorca Airport  ||

|-

| Valencia  || Valencia Airport  ||

| Saudi Arabia  || Jeddah  || King Abdulaziz International Airport  ||

Saudi Arabia  || Medina  || Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport ||

South Africa  || Johannesburg  || O. R. Tambo International Airport ||

Switzerland  || Geneva  || Geneva Airport ||

Switzerland / France / Germany  || Basel / Mulhouse / Freiburg  || EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg ||

Syria                                                                                                                           Damascus       Damascus International      

Tunisia       Tunis       Tunis–Carthage International      

Turkey       Antalya       Antalya      

Turkey       Istanbul       Istanbul      

United Arab Emirates       Dubai       Dubai      

United Kingdom       London       Heathrow      

Codeshare and Interline Partnerships

Air Algérie has established codeshare and interline partnerships with various carriers:

Codeshare

• Tunisair
• Turkish Airlines

Interline

• Air Burkina
• APG Airlines
• Emirates
• Hahn Air

Recent Updates and Strategic Outlook

In 1998, Air Algérie placed an order for ten Next Generation 737 aircraft, comprising seven 737-800s and three 737-600s, aimed at replacing the older Boeing 727-200 and 737-200 models; the quantity of 737-600s was later raised to five. The airline received its first 737-800 in August 2000 and its initial 737-600 in May 2002, becoming the fifth global operator of this variant.

Towards the end of 2003, Air Algérie procured five Airbus A330-200s along with nine ATR72-500 aircraft—the ATRs intended to substitute a fleet of Fokker F27s, while the A330s replaced aging widebody planes such as Airbus A310s, a Boeing 747-200, and Boeing 767-300s. An additional four ATR72-500s were ordered in 2009 for roughly million, with deliveries commencing in February 2010. That same year at the Dubai Airshow, seven more Boeing 737-800s were acquired; by April 2011, the airline had welcomed its 50th Boeing jetliner.

In November 2012, Air Algérie revealed plans to invest €600 million to introduce eight new aircraft—including two freighters—over the period from 2012 to 2016. The IOSA certification was renewed in December 2012 for an additional two years. Early in 2013, further orders included three Airbus A330-200s and five Boeing 737-800s, with intentions to deploy the A330s on newly launched long-haul routes to Johannesburg, New York, Shanghai, and São Paulo.

April 2013 marked a tender for acquiring fourteen passenger planes and two cargo aircraft. By December of that year, an investment plan totaling $762 million (€556 million) was announced for new equipment purchases, including three Airbus A330-200s contracted at the Dubai Air Show. In January 2014, orders were placed for three ATR 72-600s and eight Boeing 737-800s valued at $724 million; this ATR order positioned Air Algérie as Africa's largest operator of this model. In May, two Boeing 737-700Cs were ordered for $152 million. The delivery of the first ATR 72-600 occurred in December 2014.

In June 2023, the airline placed orders for five Airbus A330-900s and two Airbus A350-1000s; it also committed to acquiring eight Boeing 737 MAX 9 jets alongside two Boeing 737BCF freighters. Additionally, plans include leasing ten aircraft: four Airbus A330ceos, two A330-900s, two Boeing 737-800s, and two Boeing 737 MAX 9s.

Current Fleet

As of January 2025, Air Algérie operates the following aircraft:

Air Algérie fleet

Aircraft	In fleet	Orders	Seating Capacity				Remarks
			B	P	Y	Total
Airbus A330-200	8	—	14	22	196	232
			18	14	219	251
Airbus A330-900	—	8	TBA				Deliveries starting in 2025.
ATR 72-500	12	—	—	—	66	66
					70	70
ATR 72-600	3	16	—	—	68	68	Scheduled deliveries from 2026.
Boeing 737-600	5	—	—	16	85	101
Boeing 737-700C	2	—	—	8	104	112
Boeing 737-800	25	—	—	48	114	162
Boeing 737 MAX 9	—	8	TBA				Deliveries planned from 2027.

Cargo Aircraft

Aircraft	In fleet	Orders	Remarks

Boeing 737-800BCF

1

—

Configured for cargo operations

Lockheed L-100-30T

1

—

Configured for cargo operations

Total	57	32

Former fleet

Air Algérie's historical fleet has encompassed a wide range of aircraft types, including:

Aircraft	Quantity	Entry into Service	Withdrawal	Remarks
Aérospatiale N 262	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown
Airbus A300B1	2	1981	1985	Operated under lease from Trans European Airways
Airbus A300B4	2			Leased from Lufthansa
Airbus A310-200	6	1984	1995
Airbus A310-300	2	2005	2007
Airbus A320-200	4	2005	2015	Entirely leased aircraft
Airbus A330-300	8	2014	2016
Airbus A340-300	3	2012	2014
Beechcraft Queen Air	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Utilized as light freighter aircraft
Boeing 707	Template:Unknown	1971	Template:Unknown
Boeing 727-100 and Boeing 727-200	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown
Boeing 737-200	30	1969	2006
Boeing 737 Classic (Boeing 737-400, 737-400SF)	8 total	1999–2004	2002–2009
Boeing 737 Next Generation (Boeing 737-800)	5	2000	2012	Fleet consisted solely of leased planes
Boeing 747 variants (100, 100SF, 200, 200C, 200M, 200SF)	Multiple units	1975–1986 (varied)		Primarily leased from global operators such as World Airways and Air Atlanta Icelandic.
Boeing 767-300	5	1990	2019

To accommodate increased passenger volume during the Hajj and Umrah seasons, Air Algérie has frequently chartered large aircraft including Boeing 747 jumbo jets from airlines like Aer Lingus, Middle East Airlines, SAS, Air France, and Air Atlanta Icelandic. Seasonal leasing arrangements have also involved Airbus models such as the A310-300, A320-200, A330-300, and A340-300 alongside Boeing types including the 757-200, 767-200, and 777-200. In earlier periods, the airline employed leased Douglas DC-8s and Lockheed L-1011 TriStars for pilgrimage-related flights.

This approach of utilizing leased wide-body aircraft has allowed Air Algérie to flexibly increase capacity during peak travel intervals without the necessity of permanently enlarging its own fleet.

Fatal

• At 09:46 UTC on 19 May 1960, an Air Algérie Sud Aviation Caravelle (registration F-OBNI) collided mid-air approximately eight miles from Paris-Orly Airport with a privately owned Stampe SV.4 biplane (F-BDEV). The Stampe was destroyed and its sole pilot perished. The Caravelle experienced engine flameouts caused by debris but managed a safe landing; however, one fatality occurred among the 39 occupants. The aircraft was subsequently repaired.
• On 11 April 1967, an Air Algérie Douglas DC-4 (7T-VAU) crashed into terrain near Tamanrasset during its approach phase, resulting in the death of all 39 passengers and crew onboard.
• An electrical fire led to the crash of an Air Algérie Sud Aviation Caravelle (7T-VAK) on 26 July 1969 while operating a charter flight from Marseille to Biskra. The plane crashed after attempting an emergency landing at Oued Irara Airport, killing all 37 individuals aboard.
• On 24 January 1979, an Air Algérie Aérospatiale N 262 (7T-VSU) crashed short of Béchar Airport. Fourteen out of twenty passengers lost their lives. The accident investigation cited a faulty altimeter combined with pilot error and fatigue; all three crew members survived.
• On 21 December 1994, a cargo-configured Boeing 737-200 operating as Air Algérie Flight 702P from East Midlands to Coventry crashed short of the runway, resulting in the deaths of all five crew members.
• Air Algérie Flight 6289, a Boeing 737-200 (7T-VEZ), crashed shortly after takeoff on 6 March 2003 during a domestic flight from Tamanrasset to Algiers via Ghardaïa due to engine failure. Ninety-six passengers and six crew died; there was one survivor.
• On 13 August 2006, Air Algérie Flight 2208, involving a Lockheed L-100 Hercules (7T-VHG) flying from Algiers to Frankfurt, crashed near Piacenza in Italy following autopilot malfunction. All three crew members were killed.
• On 24 July 2014, Air Algérie Flight 5017, a McDonnell Douglas MD-83 leased from Swiftair en route from Ouagadougou to Algiers carrying 112 passengers and six Spanish crew members, lost contact near Gao in Mali. The crash resulted in no survivors; among the victims were fifty-four French nationals.

Non-fatal incidents

• On 8 June 1949, the right main landing gear of an Air Algérie Douglas C-47 Skytrain (F-BCYO) failed upon touchdown at Lyon-Bron Airport following a cargo flight originating from Algiers. Although the aircraft was destroyed, all three crew members survived.
• On 30 October 1951, an Air Algérie Sud-Ouest Bretagne (F-OAIY) caught fire and was completely destroyed at Paris-Orly Airport after the right main landing gear collapsed during takeoff. Every one of the 34 passengers and crew escaped unharmed.
• Shortly after the conclusion of the Algerian War, on 26 April 1962, an Air Algérie Lockheed Constellation (F-BAZE) parked at Maison Blanche Airport was targeted and bombed by OAS militants opposing Algerian independence.
• An Air Algérie Sud Aviation Caravelle (7T-VAI) sustained irreparable damage in a landing mishap at Algiers-Dar el Beida Airport on 23 September 1973.
• A ground loop incident on landing at Tamanrasset Airport on 1 August 1989 rendered an Air Algérie Lockheed L-100 Hercules cargo aircraft beyond repair.
• The nose landing gear of an Air Algérie Fokker F27 Friendship (7T-VRM) collapsed during a hard landing at In Guezzam Airport on 25 July 1991, causing damage that was not repairable.
• On 2 August 1996, an Air Algérie Boeing 737-200 (7T-VED) overran the runway at Tlemcen Airport while aborting its takeoff for a flight bound for Algiers. Despite significant damage, all 106 passengers and crew survived.
• Another Boeing 737-200 (7T-VEH) experienced a runway overrun in snowy weather at Constantine Airfield on 31 January 1999 after arriving from Paris. The plane was heavily damaged, but all 99 onboard remained unharmed.
• On 18 March 2006, poor weather conditions contributed to the collapse of the right main landing gear of an Air Algérie Boeing 737-600 (7T-VJQ) upon landing at Seville Airport. Approximately 45 of the 107 occupants sustained injuries.
• During a hard landing at Ain Arnat Airport on 14 March 2008, an Air Algérie Boeing 737-800 (7T-VKA), operating Flight 1143 from Paris to Sétif, suffered extensive structural damage.

Hijacking incidents

• Three armed hijackers seized control of an Air Algérie Convair CV-640 on a domestic journey from Annaba to Algiers on 31 August 1970, demanding diversion to Albania. After refueling in Brindisi, eleven passengers were released. Denied permission to land in Albania, the aircraft proceeded to Dubrovnik in then-Yugoslavia, where authorities apprehended the hijackers.
• Amidst the turmoil of the Algerian Civil War, on 31 March 1991, a passenger aboard an Air Algérie Boeing 737-200 threatened to detonate a grenade unless allowed to deliver a political statement live on television regarding the forthcoming election. The hijacker surrendered once his demand was refused; all other 53 individuals onboard were released safely.
• On 13 November 1994, an Air Algérie Fokker F27 Friendship carrying 42 people was hijacked during a flight from Algiers to Ouargla. The aircraft was diverted to Palma de Mallorca Airport, where the three hijackers eventually surrendered.
• A man hijacked an Air Algérie Boeing 767-300 with 232 passengers aboard at Oran Es Sénia Airport on 25 July 1996, insisting on flying to the United States rather than Algiers. After negotiations lasting over four hours, he gave himself up.
• Shortly after takeoff on 19 January 2003, Air Algérie Flight 6025 traveling from Constantine to Algiers was hijacked by a man demanding that the Boeing 737-800 be flown to North Korea. The flight continued its course to Algiers where police subdued the hijacker; none of the thirty people onboard were harmed.
• On 19 August 2003, following departure from Houari Boumedienne Airport, an Air Algérie Boeing 737-800 was commandeered by a mentally unstable passenger who threatened to detonate explosives unless redirected to Geneva instead of Lille. The plane made a fuel stop at Oran Es Sénia Airport, enabling authorities to arrest him.

See also

• List of airlines of Algeria
• Transport in Algeria