Air Algerie plans large fleet order and an increased long-haul network to boost Algerian economy

Algeria's national carrier Air Algerie has announced plans to order 16 new aircraft as part of a government push to expand the airline's international reach to attract investment and grow tourism - which lags well behind the rest of North Africa.

Air Algerie has ordered eight Boeing 787-8s, five 737-800NGs and three A330-200s. The 787s will replace three 767-300s as well as develop its long-haul network. The 737-800NGs will be used on domestic and regional routes on which Air Algerie enjoys a protected monopoly.

It is not clear whether all of the new 737-800NGs will be additional to the fleet or if some will be replacements for existing fleet of 22 737s, which includes five 737-600s and 17 737-800s manufactured between 2002 and 2011.

The A330-200s will be additional to the five A330-200s already in the fleet and will be used to open new long-haul routes to Johannesburg, New York, Sao Paulo and Shanghai.