Damascus International Airport is set to resume international commercial flights starting Tuesday, marking a significant step in Syria’s aviation recovery following last month’s political upheaval that saw the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad.
Syrian Airlines will be among the first to operate international services, with flights from Damascus to Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, as part of the gradual restoration of commercial air traffic.
An anonymous employee from Syrian Airlines confirmed the resumption of flights, stating that the move would be implemented starting on Tuesday, January 2.
The official announcement was made by Ashhad al-Salibi, head of Syria’s General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport, who assured the public of the airport’s readiness to handle incoming international flights.
“We announce we will start receiving international flights to and from Damascus International Airport from Tuesday,” he said in a statement published by the state-run news agency, SANA.
Syria’s aviation infrastructure had been severely disrupted due to the ongoing conflict and the political fallout surrounding Assad’s ousting.
However, Al-Salibi reassured airlines, both Arab and international, that the country was working with partners to rehabilitate airports such as those in Aleppo and Damascus.
He emphasized the airport’s ability to welcome flights from around the world, signaling Syria’s efforts to revive its international connectivity.
In addition to the resumption of commercial services, foreign diplomatic missions and international aid flights have already resumed landing in the country.
The first domestic flight since the change in leadership took off on December 18, with a flight from Damascus to Aleppo, providing further evidence of the airport’s operational recovery.
One notable development in the restoration of international aviation links is the return of Qatar Airways, which announced it would resume flights to Syria’s capital after nearly 13 years. Starting Tuesday, Qatar Airways will operate three weekly flights between Doha and Damascus.
The decision comes after an offer of assistance from the Qatari government to help Syria resume operations at Damascus International Airport.
The move signals a thaw in regional relations as neighboring countries, including Qatar, extend support to the new Syrian authorities.
Despite the lingering political complexities, the resumption of international flights is viewed as an important signal of recovery and a step towards restoring Syria’s connections with the international community.
The restoration of air traffic is crucial not only for the country’s economy but also for the movement of people and goods.
With Damascus International Airport now open to commercial air traffic, it is expected that more airlines will follow Qatar Airways’ lead in resuming services to Syria.
The re-establishment of international flight routes to Damascus is symbolic of Syria’s ongoing recovery following years of turmoil and isolation, offering hope that Syria can once again become integrated into global networks for trade, diplomacy, and tourism.