Algeria has fully reopened its national airspace to air traffic from Mali, effective Friday, allowing all flights to and from the West African country, Algerian state media reported.
– Both countries had closed their airspace to each other’s aircraft in April 2025 after Algeria said its military had shot down a Malian surveillance drone that had violated its airspace. Mali rejected Algeria’s account, saying the drone crashed inside Malian territory.
– Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune early on Saturday also ordered the return of his country’s ambassador to Mali’s capital, Bamako.
– Algeria recalled its ambassador for consultations in April last year in the wake of the diplomatic row between the two countries.