Algeria has started the process to end its air services agreement with the UAE, and that puts nonstop flying, codeshares, and even overflight routings on shakier ground. If you have a trip planned between Algeria and the Gulf—or you connect via Dubai or Abu Dhabi on the way to Asia or the USA—now is the time to book with flexibility and pick your routing with eyes wide open.
My quick recommendation: if you must fly Algeria–UAE nonstop, book it now on a refundable fare or with points that are easy to redeposit. If you mainly need reliable connectivity (especially to the USA), build your trip around alternate hubs like Doha or Istanbul until this plays out.
Side-by-side: your best Algeria–UAE booking choices right now
| What you’re choosing | Option A: Nonstop Algeria–UAE | Option B: Connect via Doha (Qatar) | Option C: Connect via Istanbul or Europe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Shortest trip time, simplest itinerary | Strong global connections, solid reliability | Broad schedule choice, often good one-stop options |
| Main risk | Highest disruption risk if traffic rights get pulled | Longer trip, reliance on a connection | Longer trip, more moving parts and varying fees |
| What could change if tensions rise | Nonstop flights cut, reduced frequencies, lost codeshares | Less exposed to Algeria–UAE bilateral changes | Least exposed to Algeria–UAE bilateral changes |
| Miles & points sweet spot | Best if awards are bookable and refundable | Often strong award availability to many cities | Good for SkyTeam/Star Alliance flyers, depends on carrier |
| Comfort | Best when you can stay on one aircraft | Usually good long-haul product via Gulf hub | Wide range, from excellent to basic |
| Price pattern | Can spike fast if capacity is reduced | Often steady, but connection adds time | Often competitive, especially in off-peak seasons |
| If you’re flying onward to the USA | Convenient if Abu Dhabi or Dubai is your gateway | Very strong USA connectivity via Doha | Very strong USA connectivity via Europe; solid via Istanbul |
This isn’t a “panic” moment. It is a risk-management moment. The legal process takes time, but airline schedules can shift well before any final end date.
1) What an air services agreement is, and how termination works
An air services agreement is the rulebook that lets airlines fly between two countries on scheduled routes. It’s not just paperwork. It governs whether airlines can:
- Operate passenger flights between the countries (traffic rights).
- Fly over each other’s territory (overflight rights).
- Add capacity, change frequencies, or use certain aircraft types.
- Be “designated” carriers, meaning which airlines can operate.
- Sell seats through interline and codeshare arrangements, depending on the text.
- Resolve disputes and, importantly here, end the agreement.
Algeria’s move matters because it signals that route authority and related commercial permissions could be at risk. Even before an agreement formally ends, airlines can get cautious. They may reduce frequencies, pause seasonal service, or stop selling certain itineraries far in advance.
Most bilateral agreements include a termination clause. In this case, Algeria is following an “Article 22”-style path. That usually means:
- One side sends formal notice through diplomatic channels.
- Notice is also provided to the ICAO leadership.
- There is a waiting period before termination becomes effective.
- Either side can mutually agree to withdraw the notice.
So, for travelers, the key point is simple. This is a formal process with a runway, but it creates real uncertainty for future schedules.
2) The diplomatic tensions behind the decision (and how they hit aviation)
Algerian authorities have not publicly offered a specific official reason at the moment this termination process was initiated. However, Algerian media reporting has linked the move to allegations involving the UAE and support for the Movement for the Autonomy of Kabylia (MAK). Algeria designates MAK as a terrorist group.
There have also been broader reported grievances. These include regional policy disputes and Algeria’s objections to certain UAE relationships and activity in the region.
Why does this matter for flyers? Because aviation agreements are a clean pressure point. They can send a message without closing embassies or cutting all trade at once. They also touch areas that governments can control quickly:
- Route permissions.
- Overflight clearances.
- Commercial rights, exemptions, and operational support.
The tricky part for passengers is that diplomacy can change fast. Aviation planners hate uncertainty. When governments start pulling formal levers, airlines often respond early to limit their risk.
3) What this could mean in practice: routes, overflight, and second-order effects
Nonstop Algeria–UAE flying is the most exposed
The clearest exposure is any nonstop service between Algiers and Abu Dhabi. If the bilateral framework is withdrawn and not replaced, you can see:
- Suspended routes or trimmed weekly frequencies.
- Seasonal reshuffles, where airlines wait for clarity.
- Lost interline options that make missed-connection protection easier.
- Fewer competitive fares, because fewer seats are for sale.
The source reporting also flagged potential loss of certain commercial terms like tax exemptions and operating rights for airlines named in coverage, including Air Algérie, Emirates, and Etihad. Even when flights keep operating, commercial changes can filter down into pricing and availability.
Overflight rights can reshape routings beyond Algeria
Overflight sounds technical, but you feel it when it changes:
- Longer flight times from detours.
- Higher fuel burn, which pushes costs up.
- Crew duty-time issues, which can break aircraft rotations.
- More knock-on delays, because the schedule padding no longer fits.
A commonly discussed example is Gulf flights bound for North Africa that might otherwise cross Algerian airspace. If routings must bend around it, that time adds up.
Connectivity to Asia and the USA could get less convenient
Many Algeria-based travelers use Gulf hubs to reach Asia. Many US-based travelers use Dubai or Abu Dhabi as their “one-stop” bridge to North Africa.
If Algeria–UAE links weaken, you may end up with:
- More two-stop itineraries, especially from smaller US cities.
- Less award availability on the most direct routings.
- Less cargo belly capacity on certain lanes, which can affect business supply chains.
None of this is guaranteed. It is the set of outcomes airlines plan for when bilateral access becomes uncertain.
⚠️ Heads Up: If you’re traveling for a wedding, a conference, or a fixed visa appointment, avoid “last flight of the season” patterns. Those are easiest to cut.
4) Key dates and what the termination clause timeline means for your booking
The agreement in question was signed in Abu Dhabi in 2013 and later ratified by Algerian decree in 2014. That matters because it’s a formal framework, not a casual commercial handshake.
Procedurally, the termination clause requires:
- Formal notice via diplomatic channels to the other country.
- Notification to the ICAO Secretary-General.
- A waiting period before termination takes effect, unless both sides agree to withdraw the notice.
The timeline table lays out the exact step-by-step chronology and the precise waiting period. the planning horizon is roughly a year after notice.
For passengers, the practical milestones look like this:
- First, watch for official notices and any ICAO-related filing signals.
- Next, watch airline schedule filings. Those often change months ahead.
- Then, watch for waiver policies. Airlines publish them when disruption risk rises.
- Finally, if the process completes, you can see more permanent network changes.
One more detail matters. Withdrawal of notice is a real off-ramp. If both sides decide to cool tensions, the agreement can stay in place.
This is why I’d treat late-2026 and early-2027 travel as the “high attention” window. That’s where schedule changes can sting most.
5) What’s happening now, and what travelers and airlines should do next
As of Sunday, February 8, 2026, there has been no public UAE comment in the reporting at this checkpoint. That leaves the market in a waiting mode until formal notices and schedule actions show up.
If you already booked Algeria–UAE travel
Do three things today:
- Check your fare rules and confirm whether you can change or cancel.
- Stop trusting third-party timing for schedule changes. Monitor the airline’s own app.
- Price out an alternate routing now, so you know your backup cost.
When disruption happens, the best rebooking choices disappear first. That includes the best one-stop connections and the best award seats.
If you’re booking now: which option should you pick?
Choose Option A (nonstop Algeria–UAE) if…
- You need the shortest trip time.
- You can book a refundable fare, or an award with easy redeposit.
- You can tolerate a reroute later, even if it adds a connection.
This is the “convenience first” pick. It also carries the most headline risk.
Choose Option B (connect via Doha) if…
- You want strong one-stop connectivity to Asia and the USA.
- You value consistent operations and lots of rebooking choices.
- You’re earning in oneworld, or you redeem partner awards often.
This is a smart “stability” bet because it depends less on Algeria–UAE bilateral access.
Choose Option C (connect via Istanbul or Europe) if…
- You want maximum schedule choice and multiple daily backups.
- You’re price shopping and can be flexible on timing.
- You prefer to earn in Star Alliance or SkyTeam ecosystems.
This tends to be the least exposed to the Algeria–UAE agreement issue itself. It can still be disrupted by normal operational problems.
Miles and points: how to protect your balance and your trip
This kind of geopolitical uncertainty is where points can be safer than cash, but only if the program has reasonable change rules.
A few practical plays that usually work well:
- Book awards with low redeposit fees or flexible cancellation windows.
- If you’re chasing elite status, remember that reroutes can change accrual. This is common when carriers re-ticket you to a partner.
- Keep screenshots of your original routing and cabin. That helps if you need a credit or a downgrade review.
Also, consider alliance coverage. If your nonstop disappears, it’s easier to be protected when your ticket sits inside a strong interline network.
Competitive context: what other carriers can do
If Algeria–UAE flying is reduced, other hubs can soak up traffic. Doha and Istanbul are obvious candidates. European hubs can also benefit, especially for US–Algeria itineraries.
That competition can keep fares in check on one-stop routings, even if nonstop prices jump. It can also improve award access on alternate paths, because airlines add capacity where they see demand.
The call: what I’d book for Algeria–UAE and USA–Algeria trips right now
If your priority is certainty, I’d route Algeria–USA and Algeria–Asia trips through hubs that are least tied to this specific bilateral dispute. That usually means Doha, Istanbul, or major European gateways.
If your priority is speed, nonstop Algeria–UAE flights are still the cleanest itinerary. Just don’t buy them on a “no changes, no refunds” fare.
The calendar matters. With termination mechanics that work on roughly a one-year clock after notice, treat late 2026 through early 2027 as the window where you should insist on flexible tickets, watch schedule changes weekly, and avoid tight same-day connections through Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
Algeria Moves to End Air Services Agreement with UAE
Algeria’s decision to end its aviation pact with the UAE creates significant uncertainty for travelers and carriers. The termination process involves formal diplomatic notice and ICAO notification, usually followed by a one-year waiting period. Impacted routes include Algiers to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, affecting global connectivity to the USA and Asia. Travelers should monitor schedule changes closely and consider booking refundable tickets or using alternate hubs to ensure stability.
