Algeria Airspace Closure: Are Emirates & Etihad Flights Affected?
Quick answer: Algeria closed its airspace to UAE-registered aircraft starting 11 September 2026, following a diplomatic rupture between the two countries. Emirates and Etihad flights operated with UAE-registered aircraft to, from, or over Algeria are affected. A commercial exemption keeps some flights to and from Algiers running, but it's confirmed only through December 2026.
If you're booked on an affected route, contact your airline directly for your specific flight status — this page tracks the policy-level situation, not individual bookings.
What's affected
Routes to/from Algiers suspended; other Algeria-bound services affected pending the commercial exemption.
Abu Dhabi–Algeria services affected by the closure.
Any UAE-registered aircraft is barred from Algerian airspace under the current order, not just scheduled passenger carriers.
Why this happened
The closure follows a diplomatic rupture between Algeria and the UAE. Algeria barred UAE-registered aircraft from its airspace — not just Algeria-bound flights, but overflights too, which is why airlines are rerouting rather than simply cancelling a handful of direct services. This mirrors the pattern seen with other regional airspace restrictions, where a diplomatic or security decision at government level cascades into route-level disruption across multiple airlines simultaneously.
The December 2026 exemption
A commercial exemption currently allows some flights to and from Algiers specifically to continue despite the broader closure — but that exemption is confirmed only through December 2026. What happens after that date hasn't been announced. If you're planning travel involving Algeria and the UAE beyond that window, treat the current exemption as provisional rather than a long-term guarantee.
What to do if you're booked on an affected route
Contact your airline directly — Emirates and Etihad are both proactively rebooking or refunding passengers on cancelled Algeria services in similar situations, but policies can vary by route and fare type. If you're transiting through Dubai or Abu Dhabi to reach a different final destination, ask specifically whether your routing is affected, since the closure impacts overflights as well as direct Algeria services.
This page summarizes a developing situation for general awareness and is not a substitute for checking directly with your airline or your government's official travel advisory for current, booking-specific information. Details can change quickly — always verify before travelling.
Frequently asked questions
The closure followed a diplomatic rupture between Algeria and the UAE. Algeria barred UAE-registered aircraft from its airspace starting 11 September 2026.
Flights operated with UAE-registered aircraft to or from Algeria are affected by the ban. A commercial exemption allows some flights to and from Algiers specifically to continue, but only through December 2026 — check directly with your airline for your specific booking, as the exemption's exact scope can change.
The order closes Algerian airspace to UAE-registered aircraft — this affects overflights as well as landings, which is why airlines are having to reroute rather than simply cancel Algeria-bound services alone. Expect longer routings on affected flights.
As of this page's last update, there's no announced end date for the closure itself. The commercial exemption for Algiers flights specifically is confirmed only through December 2026 — beyond that, status is unconfirmed.
Yes. This is a live-status page, not a one-time news report — it's reviewed and updated as the situation develops, with the last-updated date shown at the top.
See our UAE travel advisory, or the full list of active travel warnings.