Receiving the first Boeing and ATR, details of 6 branches, and the birth of a new company:
The “Air Algerie” complex officially received two new aircraft, including the first Boeing 737 MAX 8 and the ATR 72-600. It also revealed details regarding the new branches of the complex, which currently includes 6 companies. The maintenance branch will also be inaugurated before the end of the year, which was revealed by the President and Director General, Hamza Ben Hamouda.
The official receipt ceremony of the first “Boeing 737 MAX 8” aircraft, named “Freedom” and with a capacity of 186 seats, was held on Saturday at the headquarters of the maintenance unit, as part of the program to acquire 10 aircraft of this model, which aims to enhance the operational capabilities of the complex on the international airline network. The “ATR 72-600” aircraft, which was called “Tassili”, with a capacity of 73, was also received. seats, as part of the program to acquire 16 aircraft designated for the domestic airline company.
The event coincided with the inauguration of the new production center, “Air Taste Factory”, affiliated with the Air Algerie Catering Branch, which extends over an area of 14,250 square meters, with a production capacity of up to 40,000 meals per day.
Berlin, Brazzaville, Conakry and Delhi are on the agenda and head towards long lines
The ceremony was supervised by the Minister of State, Minister of the Interior, Local Governments and Transport, Said Saioud, accompanied by the President and Director General of Air Algerie, Hamza Ben Hamouda, in the presence of the President and Director General of the Algiers Airport Facilities and Facilities Management Company, Mokhtar Said Mediouni, along with the Ambassador of Italy, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the United States of America, and a number of members of the diplomatic corps accredited in Algeria.
Expansion of the European network and other new lines are awaited
In his speech, Minister Al-Saeed Saeed confirmed that receiving the Boeing 737 MAX 8 and ATR 72-600 aircraft reflects the state’s keenness to build a modern, safe and efficient air transport system that responds to international standards and keeps pace with the rapid developments taking place in this sector, explaining that this step comes in implementation of the directives of the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
He pointed out that the operation is part of a strategic program to renew and expand the fleet of the “Air Algerie” complex, which includes the acquisition of 18 new aircraft from “Boeing” and “Airbus”, with the aim of modernizing the fleet, raising the capacity, and improving the quality of services, adding that the first phase of the program was embodied in the receipt of five “Airbus” aircraft, with the receipt process continuing according to the established program.
Tanker maintenance in cooperation with 60 international dealers and first class lounges around the world
He stressed that this investment goes beyond the technical aspect, as it falls within a vision that aims to transform Algeria into an air hub linking Africa, Europe and Asia, highlighting the launch of direct flights to Kuala Lumpur, Guangzhou, Addis Ababa and Delhi, in addition to opening lines to Luanda and Libreville, with preparations to launch flights to Brazzaville and Conakry, as well as expanding the European network by opening two new lines to Warsaw and Berlin.
With regard to domestic air transport, the Minister highlighted that the acquisition of 16 ATR 72-600 aircraft, within the framework of establishing the domestic airline branch, will contribute to strengthening air connectivity between the various states of the country, especially the southern states, and improving public service.
Bin Hamouda: The complex has 6 branches and the creation of a new company before the end of the year
For his part, the President and Director General of the “Air Algerie” complex, Hamza Ben Hamouda, confirmed that the receipt of the first new aircraft and the inauguration of the new production center for the catering branch represent two pivotal stations in the path of developing and modernizing the complex.
He explained that the complex received the first Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft as part of a program to acquire 10 aircraft of this model, in a step aimed at modernizing the fleet and raising its operational capabilities. He added that the aircraft is equipped with the latest technologies in the areas of safety, performance and operational efficiency, and is characterized by low fuel consumption and reduced environmental impact, which is reflected in improving the quality of services, improving the travel experience and enhancing the company’s competitiveness.
He added that the complex also received the first ATR 72-600 aircraft as part of a program to acquire 16 aircraft designated for the domestic airline company, stressing that this model is the ideal choice for serving domestic airports thanks to its high operational efficiency, reliability and fuel economy, as well as its flexibility in various operating conditions, which allows improving air connectivity between the various states of the country, especially the southern states, and raising the quality of public service and supporting economic and social development.
In the field of infrastructure development, Ben Hamouda highlighted that the inauguration of the new production center “Air Taste Factory” affiliated with the Air Algerie Catering Branch falls within the strategy of strengthening the logistical system of the complex, explaining that the center ensures that the needs of national and international flights are met in accordance with the highest standards of quality, food safety and operational efficiency.
Ben Hamouda pointed out that the center provides catering services to 12 airline companies, including “Air Algerie” and domestic airlines, in addition to 10 international airlines, which reflects its operational readiness and enhances its position as a reliable provider of air catering services.
The President and Director General revealed that the “Air Algerie” complex today includes six specialized branches covering various air activity circles, the most recent of which was the establishment of the Algerian National Aviation Academy and the Ground Operations Branch, within the framework of a vision based on specialization, integration, and consolidating the foundations of sustainable growth.
He also announced the establishment of a company specializing in aircraft maintenance, which is expected to enter into activity at the end of 2026, to invest in the experience accumulated by the complex and enhance its technical capabilities, enabling it to provide maintenance services to national and international airlines.
Ben Hamouda stressed that the complex continues to expand its network, especially on the African continent, as it connects Algeria to 15 African destinations, while continuing to open new routes to promising African and Asian destinations, increasing the frequency of flights and improving services, thus consolidating Algeria’s position as a regional hub for air transport and economic exchange, noting that these projects fall within the vision of the President of the Republic aimed at building modern national institutions capable of supporting economic development and improving the quality of public service.
The new catering center meets the needs of national and international companies
The “Air Algerie” complex revealed, through an introductory video shown on the occasion, its new branches, which currently include six branches, with the maintenance branch set to enter service before the end of 2026, within the framework of a vision aimed at enhancing operational independence and developing various parts of the air transport industry.
In this context, the complex highlighted that the Air Algerie Catering Branch is one of the most important pillars of the service system, especially after the inauguration of the new production center with a production capacity of 40,000 meals per day, according to the highest standards of quality and food safety, enabling it to meet the needs of “Air Algerie” and a number of national and international airlines, and strengthen its position as a major player in air catering services.
The Domestic Airlines Branch also continues to carry out its tasks aimed at strengthening air connectivity between the various states of the country, especially the southern regions, which contributes to improving public service, supporting local development, and breaking isolation from distant regions.
In the field of ground services, the Ground Operations Branch is working to continue modernizing its equipment and supplies, allowing for increasing the efficiency of handling aircraft, passengers and luggage in accordance with international standards, and improving performance inside airports.
As for the “Amadeus Algeria” branch, it is responsible for developing reservation and distribution systems through modern technological solutions, in addition to its contribution to the formation and qualification of tourism agencies, in keeping with the digital transformation taking place in the air transport sector.
The Academy confirmed that the Algerian National Aviation Academy has become an essential pillar for the formation of competencies, through specialized programs directed at the executives of the various branches of the Academy, as well as clients from outside the institution.
It has also begun acquiring modern flight simulators to train pilots, with plans to purchase two additional simulators that are compatible with the new aircraft that have been acquired.
As part of completing the structure of the complex, preparations are being made to launch a specialized branch in aircraft maintenance before the end of 2026, with the aim of providing maintenance services to national and international airline companies, relying on partnerships with about 60 international dealers, with an ambition to transform this activity into a regional pole in the field of aviation maintenance and industry.
The complex also indicated the gradual dissemination of first-class lounges across the various airports in which “Air Algerie” operates, within the framework of improving the passenger experience and improving the quality of services. Work is also underway to establish an air cargo center to be a logistical lever that supports the state’s efforts to promote exports outside the fuel sector.
