Domestic Airlines


Domestic Airlines formerly Tassili Airlines, is an Algerian passenger airline based in Algiers. Following a strategic restructuring in 2025, it operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Air Algérie, the national flag carrier.
Originally founded in 1998 to serve the Algerian oil industry, operating charter and shuttle services domestically and internationally. The airline eventually transitioned to a scheduled carrier. Following its acquisition by Air Algérie in June 2025, it was rebranded as Domestic Airlines to serve as the group's regional and domestic specialist arm.
WWW tassiliairlines.dz

History

Tassili Airlines was established on 4 March 1998, as a joint venture between Air Algérie and the state oil company Sonatrach. Commercial services were launched on 8 April 1999, with a flight from Hassi Messaoud to Algiers. In April 2005, Air Algérie sold 25% of its shares in the airline, Sonatrach thus becoming the majority shareholder.
Tassili Airlines became a member of AFRAA in 2014, while continuing to expand its regional and international route network.
On 19 June 2025, the Algerian government facilitated a transfer of ownership, moving 100% of the airline's shares to Air Algérie from Sonatrach Holdings. The move was intended to streamline the national aviation sector. Prior to its restructuring and acquisition by Air Algérie, Tassili Airlines operated a diverse portfolio that included specialized aerial work, medical evacuation, and agricultural services through its wholly owned subsidiary, Tassili Travail Aérien.
On 3 July 2025, Air Algérie unveiled the new visual identity of the airline, along with announcing that it would be renamed Domestic Airlines. Its primary focus would be shifting to domestic commercial routes to alleviate pressure on the mainline Air Algérie fleet. Domestic Airlines conducted its inaugural flight on 22 August 2025, followed by the full commencement of scheduled commercial services on 25 August 2025.

Corporate affairs

Ownership

Prior to 19 June 2025, Sonatrach held a 76% stake in the airline and the remaining 24% was held by Air Algérie.
Since August 2025, Domestic Airlines has functioned as the regional division of Air Algérie. While it maintains its own air operator's certificate, its corporate strategy is fully integrated with the parent company's network.

Business trends

The annual accounts of the state-owned Tassili Airlines do not seem to have been published. A few recently available figures are shown below :

Destinations

As of January 2026, Domestic Airlines offers scheduled flights to the following destinations:
;Algeria

Fleet

, Domestic Airlines operates the following aircraft:

Accidents and incidents

  • On 28 January 2004, at around 21:00 local time, a Tassili Airlines Beechcraft 1900 crashed 10 kilometres short of Ghardaïa Airport where it had been scheduled to land completing a chartered flight from Hassi R'Mel Airport. The pilot Mebarki Mohamed had to abort the landing approach because a preceding aircraft had not cleared the runway in time. During maneuvering for reaching the approach path again, the aircraft hit the ground with its right wing, which was subsequently torn off. Of the two passengers and three crew members on board, all but the co-pilot survived the crash.
  • On 10 August 2017, a Tassili Airlines Bell 206 was destroyed by impact and post-impact fire when it crashed on an empty lot at Dekakna, about 5 km southwest of Douera, Algeria. All four on board are believed to have died in the accident. The accident happened in daylight and apparently in VMC. According to press reports the helicopter was being used to film the new railway line between Zeralda and Algiers.