Air Algérie (AH, Algiers) Director General Bakhouche Alleche has confirmed the state-owned carrier is considering its options insofar as replacements for its ageing fleet of ATR72-500s (average age: 13.6 years) is concerned.

Speaking to African Aerospace, Alleche said the ATR72-600 from ATR - Avions de Transport Régional and the C-Series from Bombardier Aerospace (BBA, Montréal Trudeau) are among the options being explored.

“We have eight ATR -500s to renew," he said. “We can stay on the ATRs and maybe get the -600, or change maybe to the CS or Embraer. It’s not decided yet.”

Aside from its fleet of twelve ATR72-500s, Air Algerie also operates three ATR72-600s all of which are deployed exclusively on domestic Algerian routes as well as occasional hops to Palma de Mallorca in Spain.

For its part, interest in the C-Series from MENA-based carriers has piqued since Airbus announced its takeover of the project. Following EgyptAir's signing of a Letter of Intent for twelve CSC3s with options for twelve more, Tunisair (TU, Tunis) chief executive Elyes Mnakbi has come out confirming his carrier's interest in the type.

Airline sources have since informed ch-aviation Tunisair is also studying offerings from Embraer as it seeks out aircraft better suited to its short- and medium-haul business strategy.