Emirates will suspend its flights to Damascus starting Saturday, November 15, until further notice, the Dubai-based airline confirmed on Friday. The decision marks a significant shift just months after the carrier resumed services to the Syrian capital following a 13-year hiatus.
An Emirates spokesperson told Khaleej Times that the suspension followed “a routine operational review to optimise fleet utilisation to align with our business objectives.” The airline did not specify when services might resume, but assured passengers that maintaining operational efficiency remained a priority.
Despite the suspension, connectivity between Dubai and Damascus will remain uninterrupted as flydubai continues to operate flights on the route. Customers currently booked on Emirates flights after November 14 will automatically be rebooked on flydubai.
“We apologise for the inconvenience caused to our customers and look forward to resuming operations at the earliest opportunity,” the spokesperson said, noting that affected passengers will be notified directly with new travel details.
The suspension comes after Emirates made headlines in June with the announcement that it would resume flights to Damascus on July 16, more than a decade after halting services in 2012 due to the Syrian civil war. The return was welcomed by travellers and signalled cautious confidence in the stability of aviation operations in Syria.
When Emirates re-entered the Syrian market in July, it launched three weekly services on Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays. The airline had planned to increase this frequency to four weekly flights starting August 2, adding a Saturday service. By late October, the carrier had scaled up further, operating daily flights using a 302-seater Boeing 777-200LR.
The reinstatement of services earlier this year followed a thorough assessment carried out in partnership with the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). Safety, operational feasibility and airspace considerations all played a role in the evaluation as the region continues to grapple with political instability and security challenges.
Alongside Emirates, other UAE carriers including Etihad and flydubai have also been operating flights to Damascus, facilitating essential connectivity for travellers between the UAE and Syria.
Aviation analysts note that while the latest suspension is attributed to operational optimisation, external factors such as fluctuating travel demand, regional security assessments and fleet allocation pressures may also indirectly influence such decisions. Emirates, one of the world’s largest airlines, frequently adjusts its network in response to shifting market conditions.
Passengers planning travel to Damascus are advised to check updated schedules and remain in touch with the airline for revised itineraries. Emirates has confirmed that all support services, including rebooking and customer assistance, will continue as normal.
While the airline has not indicated a timeline for resuming services, industry observers expect the suspension to be temporary, depending on operational needs and regional assessments.
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