Algeria reopens its airspace to flights from Mali

Algeria officially reopened its airspace to flights from Mali on July 10, according to the Algerian state news agency APS as reported by Reuters. The decision, announced by Algerian authorities, restores a fundamental air navigation route for connectivity in the Sahel region, which had been restricted amid diplomatic tensions between the two countries.

The normalization of airspace will allow the resumption of commercial and humanitarian flights between the two countries, which share an extensive land border at the heart of the Sahel. The restriction had particularly affected the operations of Air Algérie and Malian airlines, which were forced to make costly detours to avoid Algerian airspace on their routes to North Africa and Europe. The measure also has implications for air cargo operations and charter flights connecting Bamako with Algiers.

The reopening comes amid a diplomatic détente between Algiers and Bamako, following a period of strained relations linked to the political situation in Mali after the 2020 coup d’état and the subsequent presence of the Wagner Group in the country. Algeria, which has maintained a mediating role in the Sahel conflict, considers air connectivity as a key element for regional stability.

Although Algeria is not a priority market for Latin American aviation, the decision has indirect implications for airlines from the region that operate routes to Africa. Ethiopian Airlines, which is planning new routes to Brazil, and other African carriers connecting the continent with South America could benefit from greater stability in North African air navigation routes.

Algeria, a member of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and part of the CAFAC (African Civil Aviation Commission) air navigation system, controls a strategic airspace that covers much of North Africa. The reopening of its airspace to Malian flights eliminates the need for detours that could extend routes between sub-Saharan Africa and Europe by up to two hours of flight time, with the consequent increase in fuel consumption and carbon emissions.