Algeria's flag carrier signed a significant contract with Boeing on May 17 to acquire eight B737 MAX aircraft. The aircraft will be delivered in 2027, enhancing the airline's narrowbody fleet as it gears up for expansion.

The deal with the global aircraft manufacturer follows an announcement last month by Air Algérie relating to the acquisition of fifteen new aircraft. The airline is one of the largest carriers in North Africa, and it seeks to expand its fleet to meet the increase in demand for travel.

The carrier will acquire eight B737-9 MAXs with 170 - 210 seats from Boeing, while it plans to purchase five A330-900s with 280 - 320 seats and two A350-1000s with 350 - 450 seats from Airbus.

Additionally, Air Algérie issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to dry lease a fleet of up to ten narrowbody and widebody aircraft. It will procure two B737-800s, two B737-9 MAXs, four A330-200s, and two A330-900s.

Current fleet

The airline's fleet will soon be reinforced with new aircraft to offer passengers greater availability and enhanced capacity on its long-haul and intra-Africa routes. Although it is not acquiring any freighters, the carrier will boost its cargo operations with an increased belly-hold capacity.

Air Algérie 7T-VJP Boeing 737-8D6
Photo: Nabil Molinari via Flickr 

The flag carrier currently has a fleet of 56 modern aircraft with an average age of 11 years. The fleet consists of the following aircraft:

Airbus A330-202

  • Number: 8
  • Capacity: 263 seats

Boeing 737-800

  • Number: 25
  • Capacity: 162/146 seats

Boeing 737-700

  • Number: 2
  • Capacity: 112 seats

Boeing 737-600

  • Number: 5
  • Capacity: 101 seats

ATR72-212A

  • Number: 15
  • Capacity: 66 seats

Hercules L100-30

  • Number: 1
  • Capacity: 20 tonnes

The fleet has allowed the airline to maintain an intricate route network and serve some of the world's most popular destinations. From its Algiers Houari Boumediene (ALG) hub, the carrier operates flights on 167 routes to over 70 destinations in 27 countries.

Get all the latest airline route news right here.

Partnership with Mauritania Airlines

Earlier this week, the state-owned carrier signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mauritania Airlines to corporate in aircraft maintenance, training, catering, sales, product supply, and all areas of commercial cooperation.

Air Algerie A330 landing
Photo: Mike Fuchslocher I Shutterstock.

The MoU was signed by the CEOs of both airlines in the presence of various stakeholders and airline representatives. The agreement is expected to boost the operations of both airlines and provide opportunities to explore new markets while developing regional air travel.

The two bordering nations have enjoyed stable bilateral relations for many years. Their partnership comes at an important time when the North African aviation market has fully recovered from the pandemic. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has predicted that activity in the region will be at 125% of 2019 levels in the next two years.

With the Focus Africa initiative, it is also the right time for collaboration between African airlines. Strong partnerships will allow stakeholders to effectively pool their resources, data, and funds towards the development of aviation across the continent.

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