Algeria Announces Airspace Closure for Emirati Aircraft, Exempts Commercial Flights
Mian Nadeem
Published September 11, 2026 | 02:21 PM
Algeria has decided to close its airspace to civilian and military aircraft registered in the United Arab Emirates following the severance of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
According to a message posted by Algeria’s Defence Ministry on X, the ban will take effect at midnight on September 11, 2026, and Emirati-registered aircraft will generally be prohibited from operating in both directions through Algerian airspace.
However, the decision includes an important exception.
Emirati commercial civilian flights arriving at or departing from Houari Boumediene International Airport in the Algerian capital will remain exempt from the ban for the time being. The exemption will remain in force until the current agreement expires at the end of 2026.
An Arab broadcaster reports that Algeria’s decision appears to impose a broad airspace ban on Emirati aircraft, while allowing specific commercial air links between Algeria and the United Arab Emirates to continue until the end of the year.
Following severe tensions in diplomatic relations, the airspace measure is being described as a new and significant development in the growing differences between the two countries. The ban is general in nature and applies to all Emirati-registered aircraft, but specific commercial passenger flights have been granted a temporary exemption under the existing agreement.
