Air Algeria is accelerating preparations for the summer, a period in which demand for its tickets increases, especially from Algerian expatriates in France.
As it awaits the delivery of the first of 15 planes it ordered a year ago from aircraft manufacturers Boeing and Airbus, the national carrier has turned to chartering to increase its supply of seats at its destinations, especially internationally.
According to the Arabic-language daily Echorouk, Air Algérie will lease three new planes, including larger aircraft such as the Airbus A330.
The additional seats put on the market and the delivery date of these flights were not specified by an official Air Algeria source quoted by the Arabic-language daily.
The Algerian airline intends to use them for the summer of 2024, especially as the government places great emphasis on fulfilling its obligations to significantly increase domestic flights and meet the demand of the Algerian community abroad.
Air Algeria will face three new aircraft
Especially since Air Algeria launched the Osra offer on April 22nd, offering Algerian families a 30% discount for travel valid between April 1st.R June and September 30, 2024.
Algerians abroad often complain about the high cost of tickets and the lack of seats, especially on Air Algeria flights, which hold only 50% of the air market between Algeria and France.
The other half is shared between French companies, notably Air France and its low-cost subsidiary Transvia serving Algeria.
Africa’s third largest airline by number of aircraft (56 aircraft), ahead of its rival Royal Air Maroc, behind Ethiopian Airlines and EgyptAir, has already leased three aircraft, including two A330s and an A 320.
Air Algérie’s decision to lease new aircraft comes as its fleet has come under severe pressure since the start of the year due to increased demand for domestic and international flights.
This surge in demand drove up ticket prices, disrupted flight schedules and caused significant delays for passengers.
The chartering of new aircraft should allow Air Algeria to meet part of the demand, but moderate its fleet to increase the number of domestic flights and position itself as a major player in Africa.
