Algeria notices a price hike in airline tickets during the summer season
In the heart of the Paris region, Madjid and Sakina, a couple from Algeria, are faced with a difficult decision - to forego their summer holidays due to the high cost of plane tickets to Béjaïa, Algeria. Their story is just one of many among the Algerian expatriate community in France, who are grappling with the high airfare prices between the two countries.
The issue has been a long-standing one, with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune asking the government to grant licenses to new companies to operate flights between France and Algeria in 2022. However, the file remains at a standstill. The high prices have led to frustration among passengers, with Air Algeria's Facebook page being attacked with acidic comments from frustrated customers.
The high airfare prices can be attributed to several factors, including limited competition and bilateral air agreements, operational costs, and market demand. Historically, air routes between Algeria and France have been regulated by bilateral agreements that limit the number of airlines and flights, thus reducing competition and keeping prices high. This is a common factor affecting prices on former colonial routes like France-Algeria.
Airlines serving the France-Algeria corridor often face relatively high operational costs, including fuel, airport fees, and taxation, which contribute to higher ticket prices. The route also experiences strong demand, especially from Algerian expatriates and family visitors, allowing airlines to maintain higher fares.
The complex Franco-Algerian relations may indirectly affect airline negotiations and market openness, influencing pricing and availability. In 2006, France and Algeria signed an agreement to limit the number of carriers and submit flight schedules to the approval of the aviation authorities of both countries.
However, efforts have been made to address the issue. Air Algérie, the Algerian national carrier, has implemented fare reductions to make flights more affordable. For example, a 50% discount on economy international flights was offered during Ramadan to encourage travel and reduce prices for passengers.
Other airlines, such as Tassili Airlines and Transavia France, operate on the France-Algeria route with competitive prices, sometimes offering tickets as low as $65 to $150, which is lower than traditional fares. This suggests efforts to increase competition and provide more affordable options.
The Algerian government has also shown interest in economic reforms and tourism sector investments, which indirectly support the air transport sector by fostering market liberalization and infrastructure development.
Despite these efforts, the high prices remain a source of frustration for many, including Madjid and Sakina. Madjid works as an employee at the minimum wage in a handling company, and Sakina works from home as a childcare assistant. The cost of round-trip tickets for Madjid, Sakina, and their three children on Air Algérie for mid-July to mid-August is over 3,200 euros.
Abdelouahab Yagoubi, deputy of Algerians abroad, denounces the excessive profit margins of Air Algeria, stating that the fares are ten times more expensive than the average for journeys of the same distance. The Algerian government has set up an investigation commission three years ago to respond to the discontent caused by ticket prices.
In February, Hamza Benhamouda was appointed as the new general director of Air Algeria, who also promised a drop in fares, but customers see nothing coming. On social media, summer fares often cause an uproar, with users expressing frustration and irony about the high prices.
Ahmed, a sixty-year-old living in Champigny, states that he no longer has the strength to drive so far to take the boat to Oran and that he and his wife still buy the expensive tickets, despite their pension being derisory. The high prices are not just a financial burden, but a barrier that prevents many from visiting their loved ones back home.
In conclusion, the high airfare prices between France and Algeria stem from limited competition, operational costs, and geopolitical-economic influences. The Algerian government and airlines like Air Algérie have tried to address the issue by offering significant discounts and supporting competition with other airlines, aiming to make travel between the two countries more affordable. However, more needs to be done to ensure that the cost of travel does not prevent the Algerian community from staying connected with their families and homeland.
- The issue of high airfare prices between France and Algeria, a common factor affecting prices on former colonial routes like France-Algeria, is also found in the Middle East's airline industry, where limited competition and geopolitical-economic influences can lead to high ticket prices.
- In an attempt to bridge the gap and facilitate travel for lifestyle purposes, such as family visits or business trips, efforts have been made by airlines like Transavia France to offer more affordable ticket prices in the France-Algeria corridor, mirroring the finance industry's approach of providing competitive deals to boost revenue.
- As travel restrictions loosen and the desire to visit loved ones in Algeria grows, the high airfare prices pose a significant barrier not only to the Algerian expatriate community in France but also to those living in the Middle East wanting to travel and connect with their roots, impacting their personal and professional lives alike.
