In Algeria, diplomatic crises do not remain confined to chancelleries. Since 2021, Algiers has repeatedly restricted or closed its airspace to aircraft linked to states with which relations had sharply deteriorated. Morocco, France, Mali and, most recently, the United Arab Emirates have all been affected to varying degrees.
These decisions fall within national sovereignty and may reflect security considerations. Their recurrence nevertheless shows that access to Algerian airspace can become part of the measures taken during major bilateral disputes.
2021: Morocco sets the first major precedent
On September 22, 2021, less than a month after breaking diplomatic relations with Rabat, Algeria immediately closed its airspace to all Moroccan civilian and military aircraft and aircraft registered in Morocco.
Algeria’s presidency cited what it described as continuing Moroccan “provocations” and “hostile practices”. In practical terms, some Royal Air Maroc services had to bypass Algeria when flying towards Tunisia, Egypt, Turkey and other destinations east of the Maghreb.
Weeks later, French military overflights were restricted
In early October 2021, amid severe tensions between Algiers and Paris, Algeria barred French military aircraft from overflying its territory. The restriction did not apply to all French civil aviation, but forced military flights using Algerian airspace for some Sahel operations to alter their planning.
2025: reciprocal closure with Mali
In April 2025, another crisis followed Algeria’s destruction of a Malian drone near the border. Algiers said the aircraft had entered Algerian airspace, which Bamako disputed. On April 7, Algeria closed its airspace to traffic originating in or bound for Mali, citing repeated violations. Mali responded by closing its own airspace to Algerian aircraft. The two countries eventually reopened their airspace and restored ambassadors in 2026.
2026: the UAE becomes the latest case
On September 10, 2026, after severing diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates, Algeria announced another targeted closure. From midnight on September 11, UAE-registered civilian and military aircraft travelling from or to the UAE could no longer use Algerian airspace.
A temporary exception was granted to Emirati commercial flights serving Algiers until the end of 2026. For some Emirates and Etihad services towards Morocco, Portugal or Spain, however, the measure can require rerouting and longer flight times.
A recurring diplomatic instrument
It would be inaccurate to say Algeria automatically closes its airspace whenever a diplomatic disagreement occurs. Not every crisis has produced such a measure, and the restrictions differ in scope. The 2021 French case, for example, concerned military aircraft rather than commercial flights.
But these four episodes show that airspace restrictions can form part of Algiers’ response when bilateral relations deteriorate severely.
Geography gives the measures added weight
Algeria has Africa’s largest territory, stretching between the Mediterranean and the Sahel. Its airspace lies across natural corridors linking Europe, North Africa, West Africa and the Middle East. A targeted closure can therefore affect routing, flight time and fuel consumption far beyond the immediate diplomatic dispute.
Main sources
Al Jazeera on the September 2021 Moroccan closure; Euronews on French military overflights in October 2021; Algerian Ministry of Defence on the 2026 reopening with Mali; Reuters on the September 10, 2026 break with the UAE and targeted airspace closure.
Related: Algeria–UAE: Algiers closes airspace to Emirati aircraft, a concrete example of how diplomatic tensions are affecting aviation.
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