Emirates has confirmed it will stop flights to Algeria, with the last service EK757 set to leave Algiers on Feb. 3, 2027. The Dubai-based airline made the announcement after Algeria started the process of ending its air services agreement with the United Arab Emirates, though it confirmed current flights remain unaffected and passengers should proceed with existing bookings.
Diplomatic Strains Hit Aviation
Algeria formally triggered termination of the 2013 air services agreement in early February 2026, invoking Article 22, which requires withdrawal to be communicated through official diplomatic channels. The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority confirmed the deal remains in place during the notice period, with flights continuing as normal for now.
The move follows years of tense ties between Algeria and the UAE. Algeria’s President, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, recently delivered sharp criticism against what he described as a “state or mini-state” seeking to undermine the nation’s stability, warning:
“Do not make us regret the day we ever knew you.”
Tensions initially surfaced in 2019 when Algeria accused the UAE of attempting to influence its presidential election process, later intensifying following Tebboune’s criticism of the Abraham Accords in September 2020.
Emirate Ends Decade-Long Run
Emirates began flights to Algiers in March 2013. It grew the route over time due to strong demand. The carrier now runs up to six weekly flights between Dubai and Algiers using Boeing 777-300 aircraft. It is the only UAE airline flying to Algeria.
The move ends more than 10 years of Emirates operations in the country. Passengers with bookings from February 2027 should check with their travel agents for other options. Industry observers have drawn parallels to the 2017 diplomatic crisis involving Qatar, when Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt cut ties and closed airspace to Qatari aircraft. That blockade lasted until early 2021 and forced Qatar Airways to take longer routes, raising costs and complicating its network. Both events show how political problems can affect air travel when countries let disputes hit their aviation deals.
Do you think Emirates and Algeria will find a way to save this route before 2027? Share your views in the comments.
