CAT (Compagnie Air Transport)

Air Algérie SpA

Company type	Joint stock company
Industry	Aviation
Predecessor	Compagnie Générale de Transports Aériens (CGTA), Compagnie Air Transport (CAT)
Founded	23 May 1953
Headquarters	Algiers , Algeria
Area served	Algeria, Europe, North America, Africa, Asia, Middle East
Key people	Hamza Benhamouda (CEO, as of August 2024)
Products	Passenger and cargo air transport, charter flights
Owner	Government of Algeria
Number of employees	7,945 (2022)
Website	www.airalgerie.dz

Air Algérie SpA (, ) serves as the national airline of Algeria, with its main offices located in the El-Djazair building in Algiers. The carrier primarily operates out of Houari Boumedienne Airport in Algiers and Ahmed Ben Bella Airport in Oran. It connects passengers to 33 destinations within Algeria and 42 international locations spanning 28 countries across Europe, North America, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. As of , the airline is entirely owned by the Government of Algeria.

Establishment and initial development

The origins of Air Algérie trace back to 1946 with the creation of Compagnie Générale de Transports Aériens (CGTA), which began charter operations between Algeria and Europe in 1947. By the late 1940s, 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 alongside seven DC-3 planes. At the same time, Compagnie Air Transport (CAT), a joint venture between Air France and Compagnie Générale Transatlantique, operated routes linking Basel, Lyon, Marseille, Paris, and Toulouse with Algerian cities including Algiers, Constantine, and Oran. Seasonal services also connected London with Deauville or Le Touquet. Following a decline in passenger numbers after 1951, discussions for a merger commenced.

On 23 May 1953, CGTA and CAT combined forces to create Compagnie Générale de Transports Aériens Air Algérie. The merged fleet comprised one Breguet 761, six Bretagne aircraft, five DC-3s, and three DC-4s. After unification, Air Algérie expanded its seasonal routes to include Ajaccio, Clermont-Ferrand, Montpellier, and Perpignan. Switzerland was incorporated into regular service schedules, while weekly flights to Palma de Mallorca were operated jointly with Aviaco. Most trans-Mediterranean flights were managed under a cooperative agreement with Air France, which handled 54% of these operations. By the late 1950s, services to the French Riviera were also introduced.

In July 1957, the airline added two Noratlas aircraft to its inventory, followed by a third in July 1958. Early in 1958, it became the first private French airline to place an order for the Sud-Aviation Caravelle; the initial delivery arrived in January 1960. These Caravelle jets were initially assigned to the Algiers–Paris route and later extended to Paris–Bône and Paris–Oran flights. By April 1960, Air Algérie’s fleet included three Caravelles, three DC-3s, ten DC-4s, two Lockheed L-749 Constellations, and three Noratlases. The Caravelle gradually replaced older Constellations and DC-4s on passenger routes while the older models were either repurposed for cargo or sold off.

Post-independence era

Before Algeria gained independence in 1962, ownership of Air Algérie was predominantly held by two shipping companies: Compagnie Générale Transatlantique and Compagnie de Navigation Mixte, controlling 98% of shares. After independence, control transitioned to the Algerian Délégation Générale alongside Air France. In March 1963, the Algerian government acquired a majority stake of 51%, officially designating Air Algérie as the national flag carrier; this shareholding increased to 57% by April 1964. That year saw an order for two Ilyushin Il-18 aircraft; however, only one was delivered before cancellation, with that plane being allocated for government use. By April 1968, eight DC-4s remained in service but were progressively replaced by four former Lufthansa Convair 440 aircraft converted into CV-640 models. Charter operations made up approximately one-fifth of total flights.

By March 1970, government ownership had risen to 83%. The fleet at that time included a mix of one Boeing 737-200, five Caravelles, four CV-640s, and several Douglas DC series aircraft. The domestic airline Société de Travail Aérien, established in 1968, was integrated into Air Algérie in May 1972. That year also featured orders for three Fokker F27-400 turboprops valued at £2.5 million alongside additional Boeing 737 jets including a convertible variant. The government secured full ownership by purchasing Air France’s remaining 17.74% stake in 1973. Route expansion continued with Karachi added in 1975. In November 1979, Air Algérie placed an order for four Boeing 727 aircraft worth $62 million.

By mid-1980, employment reached 5,621 personnel operating a varied fleet of 57 planes comprising Boeing 727-200s and -737-200s models, a Boeing 747-200C freighter/convertible aircraft, Convair types, and smaller regional aircraft. Scheduled international services connected Europe, North Africa, the USSR, and the United States alongside an extensive domestic network within Algeria. In January 1981, three Lockheed L-100-30 freighters were ordered with the first expected for delivery mid-year. Additional Boeing acquisitions continued through the early ’80s including three more Boeing 737-200s worth $50 million in 1983. That year marked Air Algérie’s entry as Airbus’s forty-eighth customer through an order for two A310 widebody jets.

In parallel during 1984, subsidiary Inter Air Services (IAS) was established to operate domestic and regional flights using Fokker F-27 aircraft on behalf of Air Algérie; by March 1985 IAS served numerous Algerian destinations. Employee numbers had grown to approximately 6,788 at that time. In 1989, an order was placed for three Boeing 767-300 widebody jets valued at $264 million.

The first Boeing 767-300 was delivered around mid-1990 as Air Algérie began a restructuring phase that lasted until 1995 following losses amounting to $64 million that year and debts escalating to $402 million after currency depreciation. This restructuring led to a return to profitability with a reported profit of $14.5 million in 1992.

In collaboration with Sonatrach, Air Algérie co-established Tassili Airlines in 1998; its initial ownership share of 49% was fully transferred to Sonatrach by 2005.

Company Modernization

Air Algérie transitioned into a limited liability company in 1997. By 2006, its capital had grown to 57 billion dinars, roughly equivalent to 560 million euros. The airline maintains a distribution network comprising 150 agencies both within Algeria and internationally, all connected to global distribution systems (GDS) to enhance reservation and sales efficiency. It operates as a Joint Stock Company (J.S.C) with registered capital amounting to 43 billion DA.

In November 2010, Air Algérie revealed plans for a €400 million investment aimed at fleet renewal, commencing in 2011.

Financial Performance

Air Algérie has consistently reported operational deficits. Although the complete Annual Report is not regularly made available, the accessible financial figures for recent fiscal years ending on 31 December are outlined below:

	Sales revenue (DA b)	Operating income (DA b)	Net income (DA b)	Staff count	Scheduled passengers (millions)	Load factor (%)	Cargo volume (000 tonnes)	Fleet size (year-end)	Sources
2007	49.4				2.9	57	14.7
2008	54.3				3.2
2009	58.1	2.2	4.0	8,898	3.5		13.5	39
2010	55.6	2.9	2.3	9,502	3.5	60.5	13.4	39
2011	57.0	2.9	2.6	9,750	3.7	63.6	11.7	43
2012	65.6	2.7	2.8	9,563	4.3	66.4	11.3	43
2013	69.6	\color{red}{−1.2}	1.2	9,469	4.7	66.4	15.7	43	\
2014	77.6	\color{red}{−0.2}	1.4	9,095	5.2	63.2	14.9	44
2015	80.6	\color{red}{−2.5}	0.1	8,610	5.5	69.7	15.3	54
2016	91.5	\color{red}{−1.6}	\color{red}{−0.3}	9,016	6.1	70	15.5	56
2017	96.0	\color{red}{−9.3}	\color{red}{−2.9}	8,768	6.3	72	17.7	58
2018	113.6	\color{red}{−5.5}	\color{red}{−2.6}	8,670	6.6	74	20.1	56
2019					6.6	75.1	17.1	57
2020							56
2021					1.9	73.1	11.5	56
2022				7,945	4.6	78	17.9	58

Ownership and subsidiaries

Since 2013, Air Algérie has been structured as a joint stock company entirely owned by the Algerian government.

The airline's primary subsidiaries consist of:

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

In addition to scheduled services, the carrier provides charter flights supporting oil industry operations and facilitates travel for the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.

Key people

As of August 2024, the position of chief executive officer is held by Hamza Benhamouda.

Corporate identity

The emblem of Air Algérie, created in 1966 in Algiers, incorporates a swallow, symbolizing Algeria nationally. In 2023, the airline modernized its logo by introducing a refreshed typeface and an updated swallow graphic.

Destinations

Air Algérie broadened its international reach by inaugurating the Algiers–Montreal connection in June 2007 and commencing flights to Beijing in February 2009. By September 2012, it commanded a 46% share of the international market, dominating routes between Algeria and Spain. France featured prominently, with six out of the top ten international destinations by seat capacity.

By October 2015, the airline’s domestic network encompassed 32 destinations centered on Houari Boumediene Airport, complemented by an international network covering 43 cities.

As of December 2023, Air Algérie operated services to 33 countries across 78 routes.

Country	City	Airport	Notes
Algeria	Adrar	Touat-Cheikh Sidi Mohamed Belkebir Airport
	Algiers	Houari Boumediene Airport	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
	Hassi Messaoud	Oued Irara–Krim Belkacem Airport
	Hassi R'Mel	Hassi R'Mel Airport
	Illizi	Takhamalt Airport
	In Amenas	In Amenas Airport
	In Guezzam	In Guezzam Airport
	In Salah	In Salah Airport
	Jijel	Jijel Ferhat Abbas Airport
	Laghouat	L'Mekrareg Airport
	Mascara	Ghriss Airport
	Mécheria	Cheikh Bouamama Airport
	Oran	Ahmed Ben Bella Airport
	Ouargla	Ain Beida Airport
	Sétif	Ain Arnat Airport
	Tamanrasset	Aguenar – Hadj Bey Akhamok Airport
	Tébessa	Cheikh Larbi Tébessa Airport
	Tiaret	Abdelhafid Boussouf Bou Chekif Airport
	Timimoun	Timimoun Airport
	Tindouf	Commandant Ferradj Airport
	Tlemcen	Zenata – Messali El Hadj Airport
	Touggourt	Sidi Mahdi Airport

|- Austria || Vienna || Vienna International Airport || |- Belgium || Brussels || Brussels Airport || |- Belgium || Charleroi || Brussels South Charleroi Airport || |- Burkina Faso || Ouagadougou || Thomas Sankara International Airport Ouagadougou || |- 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 || |- France || Bordeaux || Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport || |- France || Lille || Lille Airport || |- France || Lyon || Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport || |- France || Marseille || Marseille Provence Airport || |- France || Metz || Metz–Nancy–Lorraine Airport || |- France || Montpellier || Montpellier–Méditerranée Airport || |- France || Nice || Nice Côte d'Azur Airport || |- Paris (France) || Charles de Gaulle Airport || |- Paris (France) || Orly Airport || |- France || 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 || |- Russia || Moscow || Sheremetyevo International Airport || |- Russia || Saint Petersburg  || Pulkovo Airport  | |- Senegal  │ Dakar │ Blaise Diagne International Airport │   | |- Spain │ Alicante │ Alicante–Elche Miguel Hernández Airport │   | |- Spain │ Barcelona │ Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport │   | |- Spain │ Madrid │ Madrid–Barajas Airport │   | |- Spain │ Palma de Mallorca │ Palma de Mallorca Airport │   | |- Spain │ 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 Airport │   | |- Tunisia │ Tunis │ Tunis–Carthage International Airport │   | |- Turkey │ Antalya │ Antalya Airport │   | |- Turkey │ Istanbul │ Istanbul Airport │   | |- United Arab Emirates │ Dubai │ Dubai International Airport │   | |- United Kingdom │ London │ Heathrow Airport ||

Codeshare and Interline Partnerships

Air Algérie has established codeshare and interline collaborations with multiple carriers:

Codeshare Partners

• Tunisair
• Turkish Airlines

Interline Partners

• Air Burkina
• APG Airlines
• Emirates
• Hahn Air

Recent Updates and Future Outlook

In 1998, Air Algérie placed an order for ten Boeing Next Generation 737s, consisting of seven 737-800s and three 737-600s, aiming to phase out older Boeing 727-200 and 737-200 models. The 737-600 order was subsequently increased by two units. The initial 737-800 arrived in August 2000, and by May 2002, the airline became the fifth globally to operate the 737-600 model.

Towards the end of 2003, the airline procured five Airbus A330-200s and nine ATR72-500s, including six ATRs originally ordered by Khalifa Airways. The A330s replaced Airbus A310s, a Boeing 747-200, and Boeing 767-300s, while the ATR72s succeeded Fokker F27 aircraft. In 2009, four additional ATR72-500s were acquired for approximately US$82 million, with deliveries commencing in February 2010. That same year saw an order for seven more Boeing 737-800s. By April 2011, Air Algérie had welcomed its 50th Boeing jet into service.

In November 2012, the airline announced plans to invest €600 million by 2016 to add eight new aircraft, including two freighters. Its IOSA safety certification was renewed in December of that year. Early in 2013, orders included three additional Airbus A330-200s and five Boeing 737-800s, with intentions to deploy the A330s on new routes to Johannesburg, New York, Shanghai, and São Paulo.

A tender for acquiring fourteen passenger aircraft and two freighters was initiated in April 2013. Later that year, plans were revealed for $762 million (€556 million) worth of new equipment to replace aging Boeing 767s. During the Dubai Air Show in late 2013, Air Algérie signed a letter of intent to purchase three Airbus A330-200s.

In January 2014, orders were placed for three ATR 72-600 aircraft alongside a commitment for eight Boeing 737-800 jets valued at US$724 million. This ATR acquisition positioned Air Algérie as Africa’s largest operator of this type. In May of the same year, two Boeing 737-700Cs were ordered for US$152 million. The first ATR 72-600 was delivered in December 2014.

By June 2023, Air Algérie had placed orders for five Airbus A330-900s and two Airbus A350-1000 widebodies; additionally, it ordered eight Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft and committed to acquiring two Boeing 737BCF freighters. The airline also arranged leases for ten aircraft including four Airbus A330ceos, two A330-900s, two Boeing 737-800s, and two Boeing 737 MAX 9 jets.

Current Fleet Composition

As of January 2025, the Air Algérie fleet comprises the following aircraft:

Air Algérie Fleet Details

Aircraft	Quantity	Orders	Passenger 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 expected from 2027.

! colspan="8" |Cargo Aircraft |}

|- ! Aircraft !! Quantity !! Orders !! Remarks |- | Boeing 737-800BCF || 1 || — || Configured for cargo operations |- | Lockheed L-100 Hercules || 1 || — || Cargo variant |- ! 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	1981	1985	Leased from Lufthansa
Airbus A310-200	6	1984	1995
Airbus A310-300	2	2005	2007
Airbus A320-200	4	2005	2015	Entirely leased fleet
Airbus A330-300	8	2014	2016
Airbus A340-300	3	2012	2014
Beechcraft Queen Air	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Used as light cargo aircraft
Boeing 707	Template:Unknown	1971	Template:Unknown
Boeing 727-100/200	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown
Boeing 737-200	30	1969	2006
Additional Boeing models operated include 737-400, 737-400SF, 737-800 (all leased), various 747 variants (leased from several operators), and Boeing 767-300 (in service from 1990 to 2019).
Other former aircraft types are Bréguet Deux-Ponts (as launch customer), Convair CV-640, Douglas series (C-47, C-54, DC-4, DC-6), Fokker F27, Handley Page Dart Herald, Lockheed Constellation, McDonnell Douglas MD-83 (leased), Piper PA-32, Sud Aviation Caravelle, Sud-Ouest Bretagne, and Vickers Viscount.

To accommodate the surge in travelers during the Hajj and Umrah seasons, Air Algérie has regularly leased larger aircraft such as Boeing 747s from airlines including Aer Lingus, Middle East Airlines, SAS, Air France, and Air Atlanta Icelandic. Seasonal leasing arrangements have also featured Airbus A310-300s (from Saga Airlines and Air Atlanta Icelandic), Airbus A320s (operated by Eagle Aviation France), Airbus A330s (leased via AWAS), Airbus A340s (from AirAsia X), Boeing 757s and 767s (through Air Atlanta Icelandic), Boeing 777s (operated by Khalifa Airways), Douglas DC-8s (leased from various carriers during the 1970s and 1980s), Lockheed L-1011 TriStars, and McDonnell Douglas DC-10s.

Fatal

• At 9:46 UTC on 19 May 1960, a mid-air collision occurred near Paris-Orly Airport involving an Air Algérie Sud Aviation Caravelle (F-OBNI) on a scheduled flight from Algiers and a privately flown Stampe SV.4 biplane (F-BDEV). The Stampe was destroyed with its sole pilot killed. Debris caused both engines of the Caravelle to flame out temporarily but they were restarted successfully enabling a safe landing. There was one fatality among the 32 passengers and seven crew aboard the Caravelle; 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 deaths of all 33 passengers and six crew members.
• An onboard fire believed to have originated from an electrical fault engulfed an Air Algérie Sud Aviation Caravelle (7T-VAK) on a charter flight from Marseille to Biskra on 26 July 1969. The aircraft crashed while attempting an emergency landing at Oued Irara – Krim Belkacem Airport, killing all 37 occupants.
• On 24 January 1979, an Air Algérie Aérospatiale N 262 (7T-VSU) crashed approximately 15 km short of Béchar Airport, resulting in the deaths of 14 out of 20 passengers. The flight crew survived. The accident was attributed to altimeter failure combined with pilot error and fatigue.
• On 21 December 1994, a cargo-configured Boeing 737-200 operating Air Algérie Flight 702P from East Midlands Airport to Coventry Airport crashed short of the runway, killing all five crew members aboard.
• On 6 March 2003, Air Algérie Flight 6289, a Boeing 737-200 (7T-VEZ) crashed shortly after departure from Aguenar – Hadj Bey Akhamok Airport due to engine failure. The crash resulted in the deaths of 96 passengers and all six crew members; there was one survivor.
• On 13 August 2006, Air Algérie Flight 2208, a Lockheed L-100 Hercules (7T-VHG), crashed near Piacenza, Italy after loss of control caused by autopilot malfunction; all three crew members perished.
• On 24 July 2014, communication was lost with Air Algérie Flight 5017, a leased McDonnell Douglas MD-83 flying from Ouagadougou to Algiers carrying 112 passengers and six Spanish crew members. The aircraft crashed in northern Mali; among those onboard were 54 French nationals.

Non-fatal Incidents

• On 8 June 1949, the right main landing gear of an Air Algérie Douglas C-47 Skytrain (F-BCYO) gave way during landing at Lyon-Bron Airport following a cargo flight from Algiers. The aircraft was destroyed, but the three crew members survived.
• On 30 October 1951, an Air Algérie Sud-Ouest Bretagne (F-OAIY) caught fire and was lost at Paris-Orly Airport after its right main landing gear collapsed during takeoff. All 30 passengers and four crew escaped unharmed.
• Shortly after the Algerian War, on 26 April 1962, an Air Algérie Lockheed Constellation (F-BAZE) parked at Houari Boumediene Airport was bombed by OAS terrorists opposing Algerian independence.
• On 23 September 1973, an Air Algérie Sud Aviation Caravelle (7T-VAI) sustained damage beyond repair in a landing mishap at Algiers-Dar el Beida Airport.
• An Air Algérie Lockheed L-100 Hercules cargo plane experienced a ground loop on landing at Tamanrasset Airport on 1 August 1989, resulting in complete destruction.
• On 25 July 1991, an Air Algérie Fokker F27 Friendship (7T-VRM) suffered nose gear collapse during a hard landing at In Guezzam Airport, causing irreparable damage to the aircraft.
• An Air Algérie Boeing 737-200 (7T-VED) overran the runway at Tlemcen Airport on 2 August 1996 while aborting takeoff for a flight to Algiers. Despite significant damage, all 100 passengers and six crew members survived without fatalities.
• On 31 January 1999, another Boeing 737-200 (7T-VEH) skidded off the runway at Constantine Airfield amid snowy conditions after arriving from Paris. The aircraft was heavily damaged; however, all 92 passengers and seven crew were unharmed.
• The right main landing gear of an Air Algérie Boeing 737-600 (7T-VJQ) collapsed upon landing at Seville Airport on 18 March 2006 during poor weather following a flight from Oran. Approximately 45 of the 101 passengers and six crew members sustained injuries.
• On 14 March 2008, an Air Algérie Boeing 737-800 (7T-VKA), operating Flight 1143 from Paris to Sétif, incurred substantial damage due to a hard landing at Ain Arnat Airport.

Hijackings

• Three armed individuals hijacked an Air Algérie Convair CV-640 on 31 August 1970 during a domestic flight from Annaba to Algiers, demanding diversion to Albania. After refueling in Brindisi, eleven passengers disembarked. Denied entry into Albania, the aircraft diverted to Dubrovnik, then part of Yugoslavia, where authorities apprehended the hijackers.
• During the Algerian Civil War, on 31 March 1991, a passenger aboard an Air Algérie Boeing 737-200 threatened to detonate a hand grenade and insisted on making a political statement live on television regarding upcoming national elections. The request was declined, and following negotiations, the hijacker surrendered and released all 53 passengers.
• On 13 November 1994, an Air Algérie Fokker F27 Friendship flying from Algiers to Ouargla was commandeered and forced to land at Palma de Mallorca Airport, where the three hijackers ultimately surrendered.
• An Air Algérie Boeing 767-300 carrying 232 people was hijacked on 25 July 1996 at Oran Es Sénia Airport. The perpetrator demanded to be flown to the United States instead of Algiers. After negotiations lasting over four hours, he gave himself up.
• On 19 January 2003, a man hijacked Air Algérie Flight 6025 from Constantine to Algiers, insisting on flying to North Korea. The flight continued to Algiers where police subdued the hijacker without incident; none of the thirty individuals onboard were injured.
• Shortly after takeoff from Houari Boumedienne Airport on 19 August 2003, an Air Algérie Boeing 737-800 was hijacked by a mentally unstable passenger who threatened to detonate explosives unless diverted to Geneva. The crew made a fuel stop at Oran Es Sénia Airport, where security forces arrested the hijacker.

See also

• List of Algerian airlines
• Transportation in Algeria