• Metro extension to Houari Boumediene airport planned for completion by 2027

• Project supports plan to double airport capacity to 20 million passengers

• Part of Algeria’s broader effort to position Algiers as a regional air hub

Algeria is extending the Alger Metro toward Houari Boumediene airport as part of a broader plan to improve airport access and support the capital’s goal of becoming a regional air hub.

The project, announced by Public Works Minister Lakhdar Rekhroukh, is scheduled for completion by 2027. The extension will add 9.5 kilometers to the metro network, offering direct service to the airport.

The upgrade is expected to address the limitations of existing transport options, which currently include private taxis and ETUSA buses, both of which face criticism for unreliable service and long travel times.

At the same time, the government is investing heavily in the airport itself, aiming to double capacity from 10 million passengers in 2024 to 20 million by 2027. Upgrades include digitized services, new scanners, and the modernization of passenger boarding infrastructure.

Air Algérie will play a central role in the plan, with state support to acquire 16 new aircraft. The expansion is expected to open more routes to Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, improving international connectivity.

Algeria’s plan to establish Algiers as a major air transit hub comes as Morocco and Egypt also pursue similar ambitions, with significant investments in airports and transport infrastructure, including urban rail systems.