Algerian Minister of Transport Abdallah Moundji says fleet procurement will be among the most pressing matters the newly appointed chief executive officer of Air Algérie (AH, Algiers) will have to pursue.
Yacine Benslimane, the former managing director of the now defunct Aigle Azur (Paris Orly), was enlisted to lead the ailing state-owned Algerian carrier on Saturday, June 18, replacing Amine Debaghine Mesraoua who had been acting CEO since January 11, 2021.
Local media reported Moundji as saying Benslimane would have to "immediately" make contact with aircraft manufacturers to acquire 15 new aircraft, thereby implementing the instructions of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and his cabinet.
“Secondly, the new Air Algérie boss will have to look into improving the service of the company, in particular the sale of tickets, their availability as well as service on board. All this will accompany the digital transformation of Air Algérie,” he continued.
Moundji also said new and existing subsidiaries - especially the cargo sector - will be nurtured to help grow revenue streams while the airline's manpower structures will also be scrutinised in order to eliminate unnecessary overheads.
Finally, the minister tasked Benslimane with the goal of transforming Algiers Houari Boumediene Airport into an African hub.
