Syria to resume international flights at Damascus airport after Assad's ouster

Syria’s main airport in Damascus will reopen for international flights starting Tuesday, authorities announced Saturday, marking a major step in the country’s recovery following the ouster of former president Bashar al-Assad.

“We announce we will start receiving international flights to and from Damascus International Airport from Tuesday,” said Ashhad al-Salibi, head of the General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport, as quoted by state news agency SANA.

Salibi added that Syria is working with partners to rehabilitate Damascus and Aleppo airports, ensuring they can accommodate flights worldwide.

While domestic flights and international aid planes have already resumed operations, the first regular international commercial services will begin on Tuesday.

Qatar Airways, which halted flights to Syria nearly 13 years ago, announced plans to operate three weekly flights to Damascus starting Tuesday.

Last month, a Qatari official revealed that Doha had offered assistance to Syria’s new authorities to help restart operations at the airport.

This development follows the reopening of domestic routes, with the first flight since Assad’s removal departing Damascus for Aleppo on December 18. The move underscores Syria’s efforts to reestablish its global connections after years of conflict.

Rehabilitating key infrastructure, like airports, is seen as a crucial step toward recovery.

“We reassure Arab and international airlines that we have begun the phase of rehabilitating the Aleppo and Damascus airports,” Salibi said, emphasizing the goal of welcoming flights from all over the world.