Air Algérie Set to Resume Madrid Flights in January Amidst Algeria-Spain Diplomatic Thaw
Air Algérie is gearing up to restart its flight services to Madrid in January, a development that aligns with the recent restoration of diplomatic ties between Algeria and Spain. This move signifies a significant step in the normalization of relations between the two nations, following a period of strained diplomatic interactions.
The resumption of flights is a direct consequence of the diplomatic détente that emerged after Algeria appointed Abdelfetah Daghmoum as its ambassador to Spain in November. This appointment effectively ended a 19-month hiatus in relations sparked by a diplomatic incident in March 2022. At that time, Algeria recalled its ambassador in response to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s support for Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara—a contentious territory under dispute by Morocco and the Algeria-supported Polisario Front. This decision by Spain had marked a departure from its historically neutral stance on the issue.
The renewed diplomatic engagement was solidified in mid-November when Daghmoum’s appointment received the green light from the Spanish Council of Ministers. Following this, Air Algérie has scheduled the recommencement of its operations to Madrid Adolfo Suarez-Barajas Airport from January 2, 2024. The flights, originating from Algiers Houari Boumediene International Airport, will be conducted twice a week using Boeing 737-700 and 737-800 aircraft.
The airline’s return to the 449-mile sector puts it in competition with Iberia, which currently operates the route twice a week with Airbus A320s. Before the pandemic and the diplomatic fallout, Air Algérie had five weekly flights on this route, while Iberia offered daily services.
In addition to the Madrid route, Air Algérie is planning to expand its services to Barcelona El Prat Airport, increasing from four to seven flights per week. The airline, a member of the SkyTeam alliance, shares this route with Vueling, which also plans to enhance its frequency.
Beyond the expansion in Spain, Air Algérie is also focusing on domestic and other international routes. This includes a new weekly domestic service connecting Algiers with Tindouf and Adrar, which commenced on December 17. Furthermore, the airline is set to restart its flights to Syria from December 21, with a route from Algiers to Damascus, transiting through Beirut. Initially, this service will be weekly, increasing to twice a week from January 9. This marks the airline’s first operation to Damascus since August 2013, according to OAG data, reflecting Air Algérie’s broader strategy to strengthen its network both domestically and internationally.