Air Algérie's Tassili deal is just the ticket

Algeria is finalising the launch of a new airline dedicated to domestic routes to better support the international growth of Air Algérie. This official announcement was made mid-March by the office of the Algerian president, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, at a work meeting on air transport in the country.

This marks an important step in the significant restructuring of the Algerian air transport landscape. Today, Air Algérie is obliged to serve all the country’s airports as part of its public service mission. This reorganisation aims to free Air Algérie from the economic constraints related to domestic services.

The new airline, a subsidiary of Air Algérie, will support the growing demand for air mobility, especially for people living in landlocked regions. It will build on improved air connectivity to boost tourism in the country, facilitate economic exchanges between regions and tackle congestion on main road networks.

It will also enable the national carrier to strengthen and enhance its international connectivity.

Air Algérie and Tassili Airlines have great ambitions and an international development plan to make Algeria a hub in Africa. Air Algérie plans to launch new routes with the renewal of its fleet. It plans to expand its network to several African countries (including Abuja in mid-2025), Europe, China and North America.

Air Algérie and Tassili Airlines signed a "new strategic partnership agreement" at the end of 2024. This agreement, which "follows on from the framework agreements signed in 2011 and 2019", aims to "strengthen their cooperation in several key areas". Both airlines have agreed "to optimise their respective resources and consolidate air transport in Algeria".

This cooperation covers several key areas, including commercial activities. Air Algérie and Tassili Airlines wish to improve their offers and services to better meet passenger expectations. Modernisation of information systems is also a priority through high-performance technological tools for better operational management.

The agreement also covers training and aircraft maintenance to ensure increased reliability of aircraft and freight transport, and to meet growing logistical needs. Air Algérie recently announced that the maintenance of its aircraft will be made abroad due to spare parts issues entailed by supply chain problems still persisting globally.

This agreement reflects the complementarity between Air Algérie and Tassili Airlines, two actors with distinct yet strategic roles in the Algerian air transport sector.

Air Algérie, a historical player and the main operator of air transport in Algeria, plays a central role in the country’s domestic and international connectivity.

On its side, Tassili Airlines, a subsidiary of Sonatrach oil group, was initially set up to meet the specific transportation needs of Sonatrach’s personnel.

It has gradually expanded its activities, particularly in cargo and regional flights. This positioning allows Tassili Airlines to bring expertise and specific capabilities to strategic segments.

According to both parties, the complementarity between the two airlines is reflected in a "pooling of resources" and an "optimisation of skills" to "meet the challenges of modernisation and growth of air transport" in Algeria.

Air Algérie has also inked a contract with CPaT Global, the market leader in distance learning solutions for airlines, training institutions, aircraft maintenance companies and aviation experts. CPaT Global will provide its comprehensive pilot training suite for Air Algérie’s pilots, covering a diverse fleet that includes the Airbus A330 CEO, Airbus A330 NEO, ATR 72-500s, ATR 72-600, Boeing 737 NG, Boeing 737 Freighter, and Boeing 737 MAX.

These partnerships promise brighter days for air transport in Algeria.