International airlines hesitate as Damascus airport resumes operations

Syria announced on Saturday the resumption of international flights to and from Damascus International Airport starting Tuesday. 

This development marks the reopening of the country’s main airport following a suspension of commercial flights after rebels seized control of the area in December.

While the airport is set to reopen, international airlines have expressed reservations about resuming flights due to security concerns. Carriers such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Egypt Air have confirmed that no decision has been made to restore their routes to Damascus, citing insufficient security measures in the area.

For now, operations at Damascus International Airport will primarily involve domestic and regional routes, with Syrian airlines leading the efforts.

• Syrian Air, the national carrier established in 1946, has resumed limited domestic flights and serves regional destinations including Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Russia, and the UAE. The airline operates a small fleet of Airbus and ATR aircraft, many of which face operational challenges due to the conflict.
• Cham Wings, a private airline founded in 2007, also serves domestic routes and international destinations, including Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Russia, Sudan, and some European and Gulf cities.

The reopening of Damascus Airport has facilitated the delivery of humanitarian aid. On Saturday, an Egyptian cargo plane landed with the first shipment of aid from Cairo since the ousting of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad nearly a month ago. 

The aircraft carried 15 tons of supplies, including tents, blankets, food, and medical equipment.

The aid, provided by the Egyptian Red Crescent, was handed over to its Syrian counterpart to support those affected by the ongoing conflict.

While the reopening of Damascus International Airport signals progress, the return of full-scale commercial operations remains uncertain.