Summary
- Air Algérie operated its longest flight between Algiers and Johannesburg, setting a brand new record for the carrier.
- South Africa welcomed the airline for the primary time with a special ceremony attended by officials from each nations.
- The Algiers-Johannesburg route will strengthen bilateral ties and economic opportunities between Algeria and South Africa, making Algiers Airport a significant hub for southern African passengers connecting to other markets.
South Africa is celebrating a brand new direct reference to North Africa, as Air Algérie operated its longest African flight between Algiers and Johannesburg on Monday, August 21.
This special service comes a month before the carrier officially launches direct flights to the South African capital. ALG-JNB has set a brand new record, becoming the carrier’s longest flight (4,619 mi) between two African points. The flight became even longer as Air Algérie needed to reroute via West Africa, avoiding Nigerian airspace.
First time in Johannesburg
Air Algérie landed in Johannesburg for the primary time, where it was greeted with a water cannon salute and a special welcoming ceremony attended by various stakeholders from each nations. Algeria’s Minister of Finance Laaziz Faid and other Algerian officials were onboard as they traveled to South Africa for the fifteenth edition of the BRICS summit.
The nine-hour flight was operated with an eight-year-old Airbus A330, becoming the carrier’s latest international route. In response to FlightRadar24.com, flight AH5360 departed Algiers Houari Boumediene Airport (ALG) at 22:18 and arrived at Johannesburg OR Tambo (JNB) at 07:05 UTC.
The return service is scheduled to depart Johannesburg on August 24 at 11:05, arriving in Algiers at 21:30. Algeria’s flag carrier will return to Johannesburg with the A330 on September 21, when it begins its non-stop industrial service. ALG-JNB flights shall be operated twice every week on Sundays and Thursdays.
A very important connection
The North African airline was initially scheduled to begin its Algiers-Johannesburg flights on March 26 with the identical schedule, however the service was delayed until September.
Ahead of the Monday flight, Algeria’s Minister of Transport Youcef Cherfa and Air Algérie Director General Yacine Benslimane chaired an inauguration ceremony at Houari Boumediene Airport. The transport Minister explained that this recent connection would strengthen bilateral ties between Algeria and South Africa and offer excellent economic opportunities.
Photo: Mike Fuchslocher I Shutterstock.
Moreover, it supports Algeria’s plans to expand the national carrier’s network and make the Algiers Airport a significant African hub. ALG will grow to be a crucial transit point for southern African passengers looking to connect with Asia, Europe, or South America. ALG will offer connections to destinations like Paris Orly (ORY), Rome (FCO), and Barcelona (BCN), which usually are not available directly from Johannesburg.
More sub-Saharan connections
On the inauguration ceremony, Youcef Cherfa recalled the country’s recently added connections to Abidjan, Bamako, Dakar, and Ouagadougou, which have grow to be essential destinations for the national carrier. Algeria’s transport ministry can be able to open more routes between Algiers and sub-Saharan, including Abuja, Addis Ababa, and Douala.
Photo: Fasttailwind | Shutterstock.
Addis Ababa shall be served twice-weekly with the Airbus A330 from October 30. Douala shall be served with the Boeing 737, and by the top of the yr, the carrier will add Abuja to its African network.
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