Algerian travelers, especially those established abroad, are unhappy after the cancellation of the new Air Algerie flight schedule for the second time in two weeks.
The first Air Algérie program which included 108 new routes was announced on March 9 before being canceled without any communication. Then transport minister Aissa Bekkai was sacked in the aftermath.
Cancellation of the Air Algérie program: an astonishing rumor
In the meantime, a new, more flexible health protocol was adopted by Algeria, which suggested that a new program was to be announced.
On Thursday, March 24, the Ministry of Transport announced a new program of 64 additional flights for Air Algérie before withdrawing it an hour later. A new minister was appointed to head the transport sector on the same day.
This mess has opened the way to interpretations and speculation on social networks. Crazy rumors have been circulating since the end of the weekdays about this.
We mention in particular the refusal of the new program by the general direction of French civil aviation (DGAC). The latter would have demanded a total reopening of the Algerian borders and would be against the partial regime as rumors claim.
Air Algérie has its slots in France
Concretely, the general direction of civil aviation in France is not in a position to require Algeria to completely reopen its borders.
You should know that Air Algérie has its flight slots in France which it pays for annually and which it uses as it sees fit when there are no restrictions on travel from the French authorities. Currently, in France, the sky is totally open, unlike Algeria where the reopening is partial.
Moreover, French airlines use several slots in the form of special flights but which could again become regular connections in the event of total reopening of the borders in Algeria.
At no time can the General Directorate of Civil Aviation interfere with the number of flights added to the program by the Algerian authorities from the moment the French air borders are completely open.
There is a procedure for requesting the use of new slots which are paid for and unused, but this process is systematic and cannot be obstructed by the DGAC.
This authority has no interest in refusing an increase in flights in Algeria since it will indirectly benefit the French airlines which de facto obtain the same number of flights granted to Air Algérie each time by virtue of the reciprocity decided by the Algerian government since the partial reopening of the bord
