150,000 foreign planes use Algeria’s flight information region

A total of 150,000 aircrafts use Algeria’s flight information region per year. Because of that, Algerian air forces extended intervention and rescue measures due to the region mountainous aspect and vastness, according to a senior member of air defense forces.

“The use of the Algerian flight information region by 150,000 planes requires a focus on regional search and rescue systems in order to guarantee quick and efficient intervention,” said the same source.

Search air department carried out a maneuver to rescue a plane in danger at the Port of Algiers. A large number of search and rescue units including two aircrafts, helicopters, naval ships and civil protection units were mobilized.  

The maneuver imitates a virtual emergency landing on the sea west of Algiers. The Air Algerie plane took off the International Airport of Algiers carrying 60 passengers and its crew.

As concerned departments were notified, the search and rescue operation started. An exploration plane was sent to localize the aircraft in danger. The passengers and crew were rescued afterwards.

According to press attaché at air defense forces commandment Colonel Omar Serhane, the maneuver is meant to assess operational efficiency and the competence of military and civil units which participated in the rescue operation.