Etihad Airways Cancels Planned Abu Dhabi–Algiers Route Before Launch

A week ago, AeroRoutes revealed that Etihad Airways (EY), the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, abandoned plans to launch direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Algiers, Algeria’s capital. The service, slated to commence in November 2025 using Airbus A321LR aircraft (the same aircraft it used to launch Abu Dhabi – Kolkata flights), has been removed from the carrier’s schedules after months of postponement, and there’s no clear reason as to why.

Speculations about traffic-rights disputes and administrative impasses are there but why the proposed four-times-weekly link between Zayed International Airport (AUH), Abu Dhabi, and Houari Boumediene Airport (ALG), Algiers, which promised expanded connectivity between the UAE and North Africa, complementing Etihad’s broader African expansion strategy, has been axed is something we will only find out once the carrier clarifies its stance.

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Etihad’s Cancelled Algeria route: Background and Key Details

Etihad had announced the Abu Dhabi–Algiers route with four weekly flights on the Airbus A321LR, commencing on 7 November 2025. After an initial postponement to 2 February 2026, the service was removed from schedules entirely as of 11 December 2025, with no reservations available.

Route specifics (planned)

• EY737: AUH → ALG

• EY738: ALG → AUH

• Aircraft type: Airbus A321LR (long-range narrow-body).

Etihad took the delivery of its first Airbus A321LR in September this year and the carrier will receive twenty aircraft of this type. Some of the features of the A321LR include:

• Maximum range: Up to 4,000 nautical miles (6,300 km).

• Fuel efficiency: At least 20% lower fuel burn than previous-generation single-aisle aircraft.

• Emissions reduction: 20% lower CO₂ emissions compared with earlier single-aisle models.

• Propulsion and design: Powered by latest-generation engines and advanced aerodynamics.

• SAF capability (current): Certified to operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

• SAF roadmap: Designed to support 100% SAF capability by 2030 under Airbus’ sustainability targets.

Etihad’s operations on the AUH-ALG route would have meant each weekly 640 seats per round trip. The route would have been one of the few direct connections between the UAE and Algeria, especially serving unserved African markets from Abu Dhabi. Currently, there are no carriers that offer a nonstop flight on this route. 

Cause of Cancellation of the AUH-ALG route 

On 7th November, official statements from the airline cited “reasons beyond our control”, a standard industry phrasing that typically covers regulatory impediments:

“Etihad Airways flights EY737 and EY738 between Abu Dhabi (AUH) and Algiers (ALG) have been temporarily postponed due to reasons beyond our control. Affected guests are being reaccommodated on alternative flights wherever possible, or will be provided with a full refund. Please ensure your guests’ contact details are updated in the PNR. Etihad Airways remains fully committed to the Algerian market and looks forward to launching operations as soon as possible.”

Analysis from Algerian sources suggests that the Algerian authorities’ decision not to grant requisite traffic rights and prevailing Anglo-Emirati–Algerian diplomatic tensions contributed to the denial, Air Journal reported:

“….. several Algerian sources explain it by administrative and diplomatic obstacles. According to journalist Abdou Semmar of the online media Algérie Part, “the Algerian authorities have decided to ban the Emirati company Etihad Airways in Algeria because of its links with the Al Nahyan dynasty in Abu Dhabi, with which the Tebboune regime has execrable relations.” According to Algerian sources, this was an indirect instruction from the Algerian government to prevent the opening of the line.”

According to Voyages D’Affaires, Algeria “continues to allocate traffic rights on a strict 50/50 basis between Algerian and foreign airlines“:

“On the Algeria-UAE route, Emirates and Air Algérie each operate 7 flights a week. A priori, therefore, there is no room for Etihad.”

 Aviation publication Simple Flying, Algiers “was the largest unserved African market from Abu Dhabi“; after all, the route had 11,000 round-trip point-to-point passengers. This is how the schedule looked like:

Route	Departure Time	Arrival Time	Block Time	Notes
Abu Dhabi → Algiers	02:30	07:15	7h 45m	Some flights timed at 7h 50m; February schedule; local times
Algiers → Abu Dhabi	10:05	19:20	6h 15m	February schedule; local times

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Details of A321LR Etihad Intended to Use in Algiers

Now that Etihad dropped its Algiers services, it will use these in deployments to different regions. The following table gives us an overview:

Here is how the carrier has configured its A321LRs:

First class

• Configuration: 1-1 (two private suites)

• Seat platform: Stelia Opera SA

• Bed type: Fully flat

• Design features: Enlarged footwell allowing companion seating; sliding privacy door

• Seat width: 22.5 inches

• In-flight display: 20-inch 4K touchscreen with Bluetooth audio pairing

• Power options: Universal AC outlet, USB-A, USB-C, and wireless induction charging

Business class

• Configuration: 1-1 reverse-herringbone (14 seats)

• Seat platform: Stelia Opera SA

• Bed type: Fully flat

• Seat pitch: 38 inches

• Seat width: 22.5 inches

• In-flight display: 17.3-inch 4K touchscreen with Bluetooth audio pairing

• Power options: Universal AC outlet, USB-A, USB-C, and wireless induction charging

Economy class

• Configuration: 3-3 (144 seats)

• Seat model: Collins Aerospace Meridian slimline

• Seat features: Four-way adjustable headrest, movable armrests, retractable tablet holder

• Extra-legroom rows: First two rows marketed as “Comfort” seating

• Seat width: 18.4 inches (Etihad specification)

• Seat pitch: 34 inches (rows 16–20); 30 inches (rows 21–38)

• Seat recline: 5 inches

• In-flight display: 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen

• Power options: USB-A and USB-C at every seat

All in All

Etihad’s abandonment of its Abu Dhabi–Algiers route represents a notable setback in its broader international expansion, illustrating how regulatory, diplomatic, and bilateral traffic-rights complexities can supersede commercial planning. Whether the carrier picks up on this route in the future will be something to watch out for.