Beyond boosting commerce between Algeria and Gabon, the route offers flexible transport solutions within Air Algérie's expanding network, reinforcing Algeria's status as a regional air transport hub.

The launch aligns with the airline group's strategy to strengthen its presence and expand its network across various capitals, particularly in Africa.

This effort is further supported by an ongoing fleet expansion program featuring new aircraft, positioning the national carrier to play a key role in achieving continental integration, bolstering South-South cooperation, and bringing greater dynamism to intra-African trade.

The inaugural flight, which departed Tuesday evening from Algiers' Houari Boumediene International Airport, was highly praised by passengers of various nationalities, including economic operators and students.

They highlighted that the route is a "qualitative addition" to air transport within the continent, as well as between Europe and Africa via Algeria, stimulating investment and opening new horizons for cooperation while ensuring regular travel at lower fares.

In a statement to APS, Makram Zaatour, a Tunisian economic operator who has lived in Gabon for 30 years, commended Air Algérie's efforts to open new routes to African capitals.

He noted that these initiatives effectively connect the north of the continent to the south, enhance intra-African cooperation, and open new avenues for partnership in various fields.

Zaatour pointed out that Algeria made a strategic choice with this destination. He emphasized that before this route was launched, the majority of travelers flying to and from Gabon or Cameroon were forced to transit through Europe.

The opening of this route will now allow African passengers to travel efficiently via Algiers International Airport, making it a "hub airport" par excellence.

The economic operator added that the ticket pricing is highly competitive compared to other airlines. Combined with the warm hospitality aboard Air Algérie flights and the high quality of service, Zaatour predicted that the Algerian public carrier would secure a substantial market share on the new route in the near future.

Mohamed Ilyas, an Algerian computer science student in Türkiye, expressed his delight at the launch, noting that the route allowed him to visit his family in Cameroon at a much lower cost compared to foreign competitors.

Similarly, Henri Roger Louzat from Gabon highlighted the important role the new flight path is expected to play in achieving continental integration.

He commended the warm reception he experienced on the inaugural flight, which lasted over six hours, noting that the services provided rival those of global airlines.

Marcel Mbiho, a Cameroonian commercial agent working in Tunisia, noted that the Algiers-Douala-Libreville route is a major qualitative enhancement that will help bridge the distances between African countries.

He highlighted that traveling from Tunisia to Algiers Airport and then on to Cameroon saved him considerable time and effort compared to his previous trips.

Additionally, Marie Paul Angus Nanga from Cameroon called for the encouragement of such initiatives to enhance cooperation and continental connectivity in air transport.

She applauded the launch of the route, noting that it allows passengers to travel under the best possible conditions.

Air Algérie’s new Libreville route positions Algiers as main African transport hub