Algeria's national carrier is moving forward with the plan to enhance its fleet and global network
Africa will soon have its longest, non-stop connection extending all the way across the continent as Air Algiers will launch a direct, bi-weekly flight from Algiers to Johannesburg.
According to a press statement by the Algerian national carrier, the airline will start the flight from September 21 and will be the carrier’s longest flight. It will also passengers numerous onward connections to destinations in Asia, Europe, and North America.
As per the government’s directive, Algeria’s national carrier is moving forward with the plan to enhance its fleet and global network. It will begin connecting Algiers Houari Boumediene Airport (ALG) and Johannesburg OR Tambo (JNB) during the southern summer season, and the service will continue throughout the rest of the year.
Flights from Algiers will be operated on Sundays and Thursdays, while the return connection is operated on Mondays and Thursdays with the Airbus A330. On Sunday, the flight will leave Algiers at 20:00 reaching Johannesburg on Monday at 06:25. On the return leg, it will leave Johannesburg on Monday at 07:55, reaching Algiers at 16:05.
On Thursday, it will depart Algiers at 11:05, reaching Johannesburg at 21:30 and the return leg will leave Johannesburg at 23:00, reaching Algiers at 07:10 on Friday.
Algiers Airport is one of the main gateways in Northern Africa, while OR Tambo is Southern Africa’s main hub. The route has never been served regularly by any airline before, and Air Algérie will probably be the only carrier operating flights for a while.
Amine Andaloussi
‘‘The opening of this line comes in accordance with the instructions of the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, aimed at strengthening the international network of Air Algérie and developing the Algiers Hub. It is also part of the roadmap drawn up by the Ministry of Transport and the national airline for the opening of lines allowing the latter to position itself in Africa,’’ says Air Algérie spokesperson Amine Andaloussi.
While Air Algerie operates few flights to sub-Saharan Africa, the flight to Johannesburg, covering 7,433 km, will be its second longest flight and longest within Africa. Air Algerie’s other longest routes are Algiers-Montreal and Algiers-Beijing.
Although, commercial flights to JNB will begin in September, but the route will be officially inaugurated on August 21 for the 15th BRICS summit, taking place in South Africa. This follows the state’s recommendation for industrial companies to participate by showcasing Algeria’s industrial potential.
The Algerian airline has also announced plans to significantly expand its global network and reach 60 destinations by 2025. This means the carrier will add up to 20 destinations in the next year and a half, including Addis Ababa, Abuja, Douala, and Libreville in Africa. Destinations outside the continent include Amsterdam, Caracas, Havana, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, and New York. The announcement was made after the launch of Air Algérie’s inaugural flight to St Petersburg Pulkovo Airport (LED) on July 26.
