ALGERIA: Air Algerie Withdrew Request For Montreal-Oran Route

Air Algérie has abandoned plans to start intercontinental services out of Oran this summer, reports ch-aviation.

The carrier had previously planned to run a 2x weekly return service to Montréal Trudeau, Canada, effective June 21 to September 16, 2017.

The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) said in a statement that in October 2016, the Algerian carrier applied for five additional flights per week between Algiers and Montréal Trudeau to cover the summer 2017 season.

This was followed by a further request to add Oran as a designated point in Algeria.

However, in January of this year, the CTA says Air Algérie withdrew its request for the Montreal-Oran route without specifying a reason.

An airline employee told TSA Algérie on condition of anonymity that the withdrawal was brought on by the fact that Air France (AF, Paris CDG) controls the Oran-Canada market despite requiring passengers to stopover at Paris CDG.

"As the price difference between Air France and Air Algerie does not exceed 100 dollars, the Algerians prefer a 1-hour transit in Paris before continuing onto Oran without having to worry about their luggage. If they go through Algiers, Air Algerie requires them to change the terminal and re-check in for domestic flights, not to mention delays," the sources added.



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