DAMASCUS: Syria\u2019s civil aviation sector is moving beyond the restoration of suspended international routes toward a broader rebuilding of its air transport network, with foreign airlines returning, regional airports reopening and projects underway to expand capacity and connectivity.<\/p>\n
After years of disruption and limited international services, Arab, regional and European carriers have gradually restored flights to Syria, initially through Damascus and Aleppo international airports. The recovery has since extended eastward, with Deir Ezzor International Airport returning to service and Qamishli International Airport nearing reopening.<\/p>\n
Air traffic through Syrian airspace has also increased sharply, while airport expansion projects and new aviation ventures point to a wider revival of the sector.<\/p>\n
International airlines return<\/strong><\/p>\n One of the early signs of recovery came in March 2025, when Aleppo International Airport reopened after rehabilitation work. Royal Jordanian operated a test flight to the airport on March 23 to assess security and safety ahead of resuming regular services following a 14-year interruption.<\/p>\n European carriers followed. Romania\u2019s Dan Air resumed flights to Syria on June 15, while Air Mediterranean operated a flight to Damascus from Austria and Greece on June 30.<\/p>\n Gulf carriers also restored connections. Air Arabia returned to Damascus from Sharjah on July 10, followed six days later by Emirates, which resumed flights after a 13-year interruption.<\/p>\n The first Emirates flight carried 286 passengers, including UAE Minister of Sports Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi. The carrier announced three weekly Damascus-Dubai services, restoring a route that had carried nearly 2.5 million passengers between its launch in 1988 and suspension in 2012.<\/p>\n The expansion accelerated in 2026. AJet restored Istanbul-Aleppo flights in April, followed by Pegasus Airlines in June. Etihad Airways began scheduled Abu Dhabi-Damascus flights on June 14, while Jazeera Airways launched Kuwait-Aleppo service later that month.<\/p>\n Traffic through Syrian airspace surges<\/strong><\/p>\n The recovery has been reflected in air traffic over Syria.<\/p>\n The General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport said the number of aircraft transiting Syrian airspace rose from 32 in March, after the airspace was closed amid regional tensions, to 2,523 in April.<\/p>\n The increase coincided with the resumption of operations by 12 international airlines through Damascus and Aleppo airports.<\/p>\n Authorities have also focused on restoring direct air links with Europe through coordination with international aviation organizations on safety and operational requirements.<\/p>\n On July 2, the first Syrian Airlines flight from Amsterdam arrived at Damascus International Airport, launching a service three times a week. The airline said the route was the first in a series of international destinations planned for the carrier.<\/p>\n Air Arabia restored daily Sharjah-Aleppo flights on July 4 after an interruption of about 12 years, while Flydubai announced daily services to Aleppo beginning July 20.<\/p>\n Kuwait Airways also returned to Damascus in July.<\/p>\n On July 29, the first LEAV Aviation flight from D\u00fcsseldorf arrived at Damascus International Airport, opening the first regular air service between Syria and Germany in 14 years.<\/p>\n The flight followed a final air transport agreement signed by the Syrian and German governments on July 16. The agreement includes services from four German airports operated by two German airlines.<\/p>\n Aleppo prepares for major expansion<\/strong><\/p>\n Aleppo International Airport reached another milestone Aug. 1 when it received inaugural flights from three international airlines in a single day: T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s SunExpress, Germany\u2019s LEAV Aviation and Saudi Arabia\u2019s Flynas.<\/p>\n The development underscored the accelerating recovery of Syrian civil aviation and growing confidence among international carriers.<\/p>\n Authorities are also preparing to expand the airport\u2019s capacity. Development work at the existing Aleppo airport is scheduled to begin in early 2027, with annual passenger capacity expected to exceed 2 million.<\/p>\n The project aims to improve operational efficiency, technical capabilities and passenger services while preparations continue for a new Aleppo International Airport.<\/p>\n The plans followed talks in Jeddah from Sept. 7 to 10 between a Syrian civil aviation delegation and Saudi Arabia\u2019s Elaf Investment Fund, led by Bin Dawood Investment Group.<\/p>\n The agreement covers development and operation of the existing airport and construction of a new international facility. The new airport is planned in stages, with initial capacity of about 6 million passengers annually eventually rising to 12 million.<\/p>\n The project also includes financing for an integrated navigation radar system covering Syrian airspace.<\/p>\n Aviation recovery extends eastward<\/strong><\/p>\n The expansion is no longer limited to Damascus and Aleppo.<\/p>\n Deir Ezzor International Airport returned to service Aug. 5 after rehabilitation work and years of suspension. Syrian Airlines resumed flights from Damascus, while Jazeera Airways launched regular direct Kuwait-Deir Ezzor service Aug. 8. A World Food Programme flight arrived two days later as humanitarian air operations resumed.<\/p>\n On Sept. 1, German carrier LEAV Aviation operated its first direct flight from Cologne to Deir Ezzor, becoming the first European carrier to provide scheduled service to the airport.<\/p>\n Authorities said three additional regional destinations were being prepared, with technical teams expected to inspect airport equipment, infrastructure and safety and security procedures.<\/p>\n Qamishli International Airport is also nearing reopening as rehabilitation work enters its final stages. The project, which began Feb. 25, is expected to help reconnect Hasakah province and the wider eastern region with Syria\u2019s national air transport network.<\/p>\n New aviation ventures<\/strong><\/p>\n New aviation projects are emerging alongside the restoration of existing routes.<\/p>\n During a visit to Riyadh on Sept. 7, Syrian aviation officials met Flynas CEO Bandar Almohanna to review implementation of an agreement establishing \u201cflynas Syria\u201d and discuss expanding aviation cooperation between Syria and Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n The meeting followed talks between Syrian and Saudi aviation authorities on boosting air traffic and coordination.<\/p>\n In February, the two sides signed an agreement to establish \u201cnas Syria\u201d as a new low-cost airline as part of a broader package of Syrian-Saudi commercial agreements.<\/p>\n Authorities are also planning to convert Mezzeh Airport in Damascus from a military facility into an airport for limited civilian operations, mainly serving private and executive aviation.<\/p>\n Preliminary work includes rubble removal and upgrades to air navigation infrastructure, while technical, operational, environmental and regulatory studies are underway. The airport is expected to complement Damascus International Airport.<\/p>\n Reconnecting Syrians and supporting the economy<\/strong><\/p>\n The restoration of air routes is facilitating family reunification after years of separation and reducing reliance on costly indirect flights and transit connections for Syrians living in Europe and the Gulf.<\/p>\n The expanding network is also expected to strengthen links between expatriates and their homeland and facilitate the return of skilled professionals.<\/p>\n Economically, improved air connectivity could support trade, investment and tourism while strengthening Damascus and Aleppo as regional economic centers. Plans for Aleppo airport also envisage increased passenger and cargo traffic and greater support for industrial and commercial activity in northern Syria.<\/p>\n The revival has coincided with closer aviation cooperation with Arab and European countries, including the air transport agreement with Germany and expanding coordination with Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n From restoring routes to rebuilding a network<\/strong><\/p>\n From only a handful of flights in early 2025 to more than a dozen international airlines operating through Damascus and Aleppo by mid-2026, Syria\u2019s aviation network has undergone a marked transformation.<\/p>\n Routes now connect Syria with T\u00fcrkiye, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, Austria and Romania.<\/p>\n At the same time, Aleppo is preparing for major capacity expansion, Deir Ezzor has returned to domestic and international service, Qamishli is nearing reopening, Mezzeh is being considered for limited civilian operations and a new low-cost airline venture is under development.<\/p>\n What began as the restoration of routes suspended for years is developing into a broader rebuilding of Syria\u2019s aviation network, reconnecting its provinces, linking Syrians abroad with their homeland and expanding the country\u2019s connections to regional and international air transport networks.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/assets.maestronewsroom.com\/media\/30f6532d-717b-4366-9158-9c455299fcd9\/1789351108596-b7a38d0360c91a41.jpg\")
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