Air Algerie

Air Algerie's safety record presents a mixed assessment from various sources. While the airline has experienced notable incidents in its history, it maintains key industry certifications.

Recent Safety Record and Notable Incidents:

In its 2024 ranking, a specialized site called Airline Ratings (as referenced by The Maghreb Times and ObservAlgérie) awarded Air Algerie 1 star out of 7 for safety, placing it 345th out of 385 airlines, a rating consistent with its 2021 assessment. Conversely, AirlineRatings.com provides a higher safety rating of 6 out of 7 stars as of September 2024.

Historically, Air Algerie has been involved in significant accidents. Notably, Air Algérie Flight 6289 crashed in March 2003 near Tamanrasset, killing 102 of the 103 people on board after an engine explosion shortly after takeoff. In July 2014, Air Algérie Flight 5017, operated by Swiftair for Air Algerie, crashed in Mali, resulting in the deaths of all 116 occupants due to a high-altitude stall caused by ice accretion on the engines. More recent incidents reported between 2022 and 2024 include instances such as a rejected takeoff due to burst tires, an engine shutdown in flight, an approach to the wrong airport, and losses of separation on the runway and cabin pressure.

Regulatory Certifications:

Air Algerie holds the IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) certification, which it has consistently renewed since 2006. This certification is a recognized international standard and is a prerequisite for airlines wishing to operate to Europe. Additionally, the airline has held ISO 9001-2008 certification and EASA 145 certification for maintenance since 2005. Air Algerie is not included on the European Union's Air Safety List (blacklist) of banned airlines. While European regulators did intensify ramp inspections in 2010 due to concerns regarding cargo safety, airworthiness, and flight-crew licensing, this did not result in a ban.

Fleet Age and Maintenance Reputation:

The average age of Air Algerie's fleet varies by aircraft type and reporting date, but generally falls around 17.2 years as of 2025. Some of its Boeing 737-600s are older (averaging 20.6 years in 2022), while newer ATR 72-600s average 7.6 years. Air Algerie manages its own maintenance base and handling services. Its EASA 145 certification reflects adherence to European maintenance standards. In a move towards fleet reliability, Rolls-Royce secured a contract in 2025 to supply and service jet engines for 10 Air Algerie aircraft.

Overall Safety Assessment:

The overall safety assessment of Air Algerie is complex, with a significant disparity in ratings from different aviation safety evaluators. While it adheres to international operational safety standards through its IOSA certification and is permitted to fly in European airspace, the very low safety rating of 1 out of 7 stars from "Airline Ratings" raises concerns, contrasted by a 6 out of 7 rating from "AirlineRatings.com". The airline's history includes fatal accidents, alongside more recent operational incidents.

Safety Awards or Recognitions:

In January 2025, Air Algerie received a certificate of recognition from the Saudi National Travel Security Center (NTSC) for achieving a 98% score in its 2024 annual evaluation for passenger safety and security standards. The airline was also recognized in December 2024 at Moscow's "Perfect Timing Awards" for its performance in luggage transport per passenger.