Air Algérie adds Shanghai to its routes

Air Algérie has added Shanghai to its list of Chinese destinations, joining existing routes to Beijing and Guangzhou. The airline launched a direct flight from Algiers this week, with three weekly flights planned as part of its broader international expansion strategy.

New route aims to boost trade and travel

The new Shanghai route is intended to provide an additional access point to a market seen as important for commercial exchanges. Sid Ahmed Dekdouk, the interim head of sales and network for the airline, noted that the connection should expand opportunities for both passenger and cargo transportation.

Algeria-China trade growth does not guarantee air route success

The commercial relationship between Algeria and China offers a favorable backdrop for new connections, though the profitability of such routes remains uncertain. In an interview published in June 2026, the Chinese ambassador to Algiers, Dong Guangli, estimated bilateral trade in goods reached 15.25 billion USD in 2025, up 22.2% from the previous year.

Air Algérie’s network size doesn’t guarantee route success

According to figures from its official website, Air Algérie transported over 8 million people in 2025, serving 57 international and 33 domestic destinations. While these numbers reflect the scale of its operations, they do not indicate how well each new route will perform.

Monitoring traffic will be key for the new route

Tracking passenger and freight traffic on the Algiers-Shanghai route will be essential to determine its actual contribution to exchanges between the two countries. This will help the airline assess the route’s effectiveness in supporting trade and travel.