Syria-UAE flights resume after 13-year hiatus amid thaw in ties

A landmark passenger flight from Syria arrived in the UAE on Sunday, heralding the long-awaited resumption of direct air travel between the countries, The National reported.

The Airbus A320-212 from Syria's national airline Syrian Air left the capital city of Damascus just after 7 a.m., according to online flight tracker FlightRadar24. Dubai Airports reported the plane landed in Dubai at 12:39 p.m.

It was announced last week that Syrian Air would resume direct flights to Dubai and Sharjah from Sunday.

The airline said it was working “to add more flights as soon as possible, once we receive the necessary approvals from the relevant authorities.”

The UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority announced the resumption of flights between the Emirates and Syria on April 14.

It came after Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara visited the UAE for the first time since taking office last Sunday, during which he held high-level talks with President Sheikh Mohamed.

Al Shara, who led the Hayat Tahrir Al Sham group that ousted President Bashar Al Assad, is looking to improve relations with Arab neighbors and the Gulf states following a 13-year civil war in Syria.

Sheikh Mohamed told of the need to confront “the challenges of the transitional phase and rebuild Syria in a way that meets the aspirations of its people for a future of security, stability and prosperity,” state news agency WAM reported.

The security and stability of Syria are important to the entire Middle East, Sheikh Mohamed said, stressing that the UAE would “spare no effort in providing all possible support to Syria.”

Samih Arabi, director general of Syrian Air, who was on board the inaugural flight from Damascus to Dubai, said the resumption of flights highlighted the airline's commitment to reconnecting Syria with key international travel markets, particularly those with large Syrian communities such as the UAE.

He underlined the significance of the step in helping to reunite Syrian citizens living in the Emirates with family members back home.

Countries had suspended flights to and from Syria during the civil war, but some airlines restarted services since former president Bashar Al Assad was ousted last year.

“Resuming our flights to the United Arab Emirates marks an important moment for Syrian Air and for the many Syrians who call the UAE home,” Arabi said.

“This route is not just about restoring connectivity, it’s about bringing people closer to their loved ones, easing travel for families, and strengthening the bonds between our two nations.”