Algeria’s Air Algérie Cuts Flights to Spain Amid Western Sahara Dispute

Is Algeria already punishing Spain for changing its position on the Sahara issue? Air Algérie’s flight program includes 64 new weekly services, reports ObserAlgerie. But Spain is, this time, excluded from this program. A new program of 16 flights to and from 3 Spanish cities, namely Madrid, Barcelona and Alicante, has been canceled. According to some analysts, the cancellation of these flights is political.

Some Spanish media go further. They believe that Algiers is trying to put pressure on Madrid, particularly on the supply of natural gas. Some media speak of the categorical refusal of Algeria to discuss the relaunch of the Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline and a desire to increase the price of gas.

To recall, Spain changed its position on the Sahara on March 18. In a message addressed to King Mohammed VI, that "Spain considers the Moroccan autonomy initiative as the most serious, realistic and credible basis for the resolution of the dispute." A gesture of support long demanded by Rabat from Madrid, which is seen in a bad light by Algeria, which immediately recalled its ambassador for consultations.