Key facts
- Algeria has fully reopened its national airspace to Malian air traffic starting Friday, July 10, 2026.
- The airspace closure was in effect since April 2025.
- The closure followed an incident where Algeria claimed to have shot down a Malian surveillance drone.
- Mali contested Algeria's account of the drone incident.
- Algeria recalled its ambassador to Mali in April 2025 due to the diplomatic row.
- Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune ordered the return of the country's ambassador to Mali on Saturday.
Algeria has fully reopened its national airspace to air traffic from Mali, effective Friday, July 10, 2026, according to Algerian state media. This decision marks a significant step in normalizing relations between the two West African nations, which had been strained since April 2025.
The airspace closure was initiated after Algeria stated its military had shot down a Malian surveillance drone that had violated its territory. Mali, however, rejected this account, asserting that the drone crashed within its own borders. In the wake of this diplomatic row, Algeria had recalled its ambassador to Mali in April 2025.
Further signaling an improvement in relations, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on Saturday ordered the return of his country's ambassador to Bamako, Mali's capital.