Algeria to close airspace to UAE-registered aircraft after severing diplomatic ties

Algeria announced Thursday that it will close its airspace to UAE-registered civilian and military aircraft from midnight Sept. 11, following a decision to sever diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates.

The Defense Ministry said the measure applies to all UAE-registered civilian and military aircraft flying to or from the country.

The decision exempts Emirati commercial civilian flights operating to and from Houari Boumediene International Airport in Algiers, which will be allowed to continue until the end of 2026, when the contract expires.

Algeria announced earlier Thursday that it was severing relations with the UAE and gave the Emirati ambassador 48 hours to comply with the decision.