International Flights Resume from Damascus for the First Time Since Assad’s Ouster

TDT | Manama
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

International air travel resumed from Syria's main airport in Damascus on Tuesday, marking a significant milestone in the country’s recovery after rebels ousted President Bashar Al Assad last month.

According to the official Sana news agency, the first international commercial flight to depart from Damascus since December 8 was a Syrian Airlines flight. The plane, carrying 145 passengers, left for Sharjah airport in the UAE at approximately 11:45 am local time.

Earlier in December, a test flight from Damascus had successfully landed in Aleppo, a northern city, marking Syria’s first air travel since the fall of the Assad regime. While international commercial flights were temporarily halted, international aid planes and foreign diplomatic delegations have continued to arrive in the country. Domestic flights have also resumed.

In a related development, Qatar Airways announced the resumption of its flights to Damascus after nearly 13 years. Starting January 7, 2025, the Doha-based airline will operate three weekly flights to Syria’s capital. Qatar Airways hailed the move as a significant step in reconnecting the region following the overthrow of President Assad’s regime by rebels from Hayat Tahrir Al Sham.

In its statement, Qatar Airways emphasized its commitment to ensuring that all necessary safety, security, and operational standards are met ahead of the relaunch. The airline’s return to Damascus follows Qatar’s reopening of its embassy in the city, becoming the second country after Turkey to do so following Assad’s ouster.

Qatar had been a major backer of the Syrian opposition since the uprising against Assad’s government began in 2011. Despite the country’s return to the Arab diplomatic fold in recent years, Qatar had remained a vocal critic of Assad and did not renew ties with Syria until now.