Algerian Government to pave the way for return of private airline service

The MPs of the National People’s Assembly are slated to begin discussing Tuesday new amendments to the Algerian law on Civil Aviation, which comes as an addition to the law of 27 May 1998.

This major project underway points to an explicit and clear signal allowing for a return of private airline activity through a revamped book of specifications including stringent safety and security commitments to be implemented by the airline companies concerned, reliable sources told “Echorouk”.

According to the draft law of which “Echorouk” possesses a copy, the aviation services and providers will be subjected to State control, close supervision and follow-up in order to ensure the continued safety and security of air transport, through the setting up of a National Committee for civil aviation security and locally-based committees in charge of each airport security.

Algeria will lift a decade-old ban on private investment in the air transport sector, Transport Minister Amar Ghoul affirmed recently.

“The government is drawing up a new book of specifications to frame the decision of opening air transport to Algerian private investors, as well as to secure and control the airspace,” said the minister.

“We are working to boost air transport through the existing public companies, and preparing the necessary conditions to pave the way for the private sector to enter this space in harmony with the national public sector.”

The government stopped granting aviation licenses to private operators in the mid-2000s after a financial scandal involving the now-dissolved private operator Khalifa Airways.

In this context, the opening of air space to private airlines is a “must,” Minister of Transport Amar Ghoul said lately, adding that national interest is a priority.

“The opening of air space to private airlines is a must, but it would not be done to the detriment of national airlines,” the minister told local media outlets

“We have reached now the stage of terms definition for that action.”

 Mr Amar Ghoul invited national airlines Air Algerie and Tassili Airlines to get ready for the operation, as “competition will be sharp.”

“Once air space is open, national airline Air Algerie will have to get ready to face competition from both private sector and major world airlines.”

National airline Air Algerie will however benefit from an upgrading and development program, Mr Ghoul disclosed.

The Algerian government stopped granting aviation licenses to private airline operators in the mid-2000s after a financial scandal involving the now-dissolved private operator Khalifa Airways.