The Tunisian government has firmly ruled out adopting a full open skies policy in its aviation sector, opting instead to maintain a restrictive air service framework that protects the national carrier Tunisair and limits unrestricted market access for foreign airlines.
According to recent reports from early February 2026, authorities have explicitly excluded the option of open skies, particularly in the context of ongoing discussions with the European Union, where negotiations for a comprehensive Euro-Mediterranean aviation agreement—initialled back in 2017—have yet to result in full liberalisation or ratification.
The decision reflects concerns over the potential impact on Tunisair, which continues to face financial pressures and operational challenges, including irregular spending issues highlighted in recent audits. By keeping bilateral air service agreements in place rather than opening the market fully, Tunisia aims to safeguard domestic connectivity, employment in the aviation sector, and the competitive position of its flag carrier amid growing tourism recovery and regional routes. While the country has pursued gradual liberalisation through targeted bilateral deals—such as a recent air services agreement with Oman allowing unlimited direct flights—and expressed interest in enhanced international cooperation, including with the United States, a broad open skies regime with the EU remains off the table for now.
This stance contrasts with neighbours like Morocco, which has operated under an EU open skies framework since 2006 and seen significant traffic growth, though not without criticism from its own national airline over perceived imbalances. In Tunisia, the priority appears to be controlled expansion, with the Ministry of Transport emphasising strengthened connectivity, commercial partnerships for national airlines, and positioning the country as a Mediterranean hub without exposing it to unchecked competition that could further strain Tunisair. No immediate shift in policy has been signalled, and the restrictive approach is expected to persist as the government focuses on recovery and infrastructure improvements at key airports such as Tunis-Carthage and Enfidha-Hammamet.
