The effect of calcium chloride and sodium chloride on the electrochemical properties of various grades of aluminium namely 2s, 3s, 26s and 57s in alkaline citrate solution has been examined by studying the self corrosion, open circuit potential, anodic polarization and anode efficiency. It has been found that among the different grades of aluminium the 57s grade is found to be the most promising galvanic anode material in the 4N NaOH containing 20% wt/vol. of sodium citrate and 2.5% wt/vol. of CaCl2·2H2O. Further, it has been found that the above alkaline citrate electrolyte required for aluminium air batteries can be prepared from tap water, saline water and even sea water. The presence of chloride ions in the electrolyte, even up to a concentration of 2.5% wt/vol. as CaCl2·2H2O, is not found to alter the electrochemical properties of the different grades of aluminium as anode materials, though 57s is found to be the best.