Air Algérie: the government validates the plan to acquire 15 new aircraft
The Air Algerie fleet renewal programme, planned since 2016 and adopted in 2018, was suspended in 2020 due to the health crisis. For the Algerian authorities, its implementation becomes more than urgent in view of the carrier's ambitions.
The Algerian government, meeting in the Council of Ministers on Sunday 8 May 2022, gave the green light for the reactivation of the national air transport fleet renewal plan.
"The airline company Air Algérie has been authorised to acquire 15 aircraft to open new routes, notably to African countries," the final communiqué of the meeting states.
Air Algérie last renewed its fleet in 2016, when it introduced eight Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Earlier this year, the local press quoted the Ministry of Transport as saying that this fleet upgrade project could mobilise up to 250 billion dinars, or 1.59 billion euros. For the moment, no details have been given on the aircraft models that will make up the new fleet.
Air Algérie currently owns 55 aircraft, including twenty-four Boeing 737-800s, five Boeing 737-600s, two 737-700s (cargo), eight Airbus A330-200s and fifteen ATR72s. These aircraft have an average age of 14 years.
It should be remembered that this plan to renew the Air Algerian fleet is part of its horizon roadmap. This includes the creation of an aircraft maintenance centre (initially planned for 2021) as well as a ground handling company during this year. The acceleration of the digitalization of its services is also part of this approach.
