For the first time in nearly 13 years, international flights have resumed at Damascus International Airport, Syria’s primary aviation hub. This marks a significant milestone since the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad by Islamist-led rebels last month, according to AFP journalists.
Excitement was palpable at the airport as passengers arriving from Qatar chanted slogans and celebrated, many proudly displaying Syria’s three-star independence flag, now a symbol of the new government.
“Today marks a new beginning,” said Anis Fallouh, the airport director. “We have started welcoming both outbound and inbound international flights.” The first flight departing the airport was bound for Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.
At around 1:00 PM, the first Qatari commercial flight in over a decade landed in Damascus. Earlier in the day, a Syrian Airlines flight to Sharjah had taken off at approximately 11:45 AM, symbolizing the resumption of international commercial flights. The plane bore Syria’s three-star independence flag, now adopted by the new authorities.
In addition to commercial flights, international aid planes and foreign diplomatic delegations had already begun arriving in Syria, and domestic flights have also resumed.
Amal Jeroudi, a 45-year-old Syrian passenger preparing to travel to Dubai, expressed her relief: “I was worried the airport would remain closed, as my visa was about to expire. Now I am very happy.” She added that the airport staff, once known for their cold demeanor under Assad’s regime, were now welcoming passengers with smiles.
Symbol of Recovery
State news agency SANA reported that the first Syrian plane since the airport’s liberation departed for Sharjah on Tuesday, carrying 145 passengers. Qatar Airways also resumed operations with three weekly flights to Damascus. “The first incoming flight is a Qatar Airways plane,” Fallouh confirmed.
Jordan has also shown its support, with a Royal Jordanian test flight departing for Damascus on Tuesday. Haitham Misto, a civil aviation official quoted by Jordan’s Petra news agency, described the flight as “a message of support and solidarity” and an opportunity to assess the technical condition of the airport.
Qatar has offered to assist Syria’s new authorities in resuming full operations at the airport.
On December 18, just 10 days after Assad’s overthrow, the first flight from Damascus Airport took off for Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city, highlighting the government’s commitment to restoring normalcy.
Syria’s new leadership has also reached out to the international community, with Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani visiting several Arab capitals, including Riyadh, Doha, and Abu Dhabi, in efforts to strengthen diplomatic and regional ties.