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Berlin-Damascus returns
A first direct flight from Berlin to Damascus landed at Damascus International Airport on Saturday after a suspension of about 14 years, operated by the private German airline Sundair.
“after a suspension of about 14 years”
The flight took place in the presence of Mohamed Baraa Shukri, the acting Syrian ambassador to Berlin, as Syria and Germany moved to restore direct air links between the two capitals.
Omar Al-Hasri, head of the General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport of Syria, told reporters that the return of direct flights between Berlin and Damascus carries particular importance for Syrians residing in Germany and as an indicator of European airlines’ return to the Syrian market.
Al-Hasri said the government is working on rebuilding Syria’s air network gradually and thoughtfully, and he added that Syrian Airlines will announce in the coming days a number of new European destinations as operational and regulatory procedures are completed.
In parallel, the same authority announced that LEAV Aviation would begin operating the first direct and regular flights between Cologne and Deir ez-Zor starting September 1 at a rate of one flight per week.
Moscow-Damascus restart
On Sunday, Syrian Airlines’ first flights from the Russian capital Moscow arrived at Damascus International Airport after more than a year and a half of suspension, with a reporter for Syria Now observing the landing on flight RB 442 at Damascus Airport from Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow.
Air travel between Russia and Syria had stopped on December 8, 2024, according to the Russian news agency TASS, and the resumption was framed by the Syrian aviation authority as part of a comprehensive plan to reconnect Syria with the world.
Omar Al-Hassouri, head of the General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport, said Syrian Airlines has practically begun to regain its presence on the regional and international flight map.
At the welcome ceremony, Zaur Gusinov, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Russian Embassy in Damascus, said that Russia continues to support Syria’s prosperity, the welfare of its people, and its unity since establishing diplomatic relations in 1944, and he highlighted the importance of resuming direct flights.
Euronews also reported that attending the welcome ceremony were Samih Arabi, Deputy Head of the General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport, and Zavor Gusseinov, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Russian Embassy in Damascus.
Deir ez-Zor expansion
The European flight expansion highlighted by Syrian aviation officials includes the first direct and regular flights between the German city of Cologne and Deir ez-Zor International Airport at the beginning of September, with LEAV Aviation set to begin operating its first flights starting from September 1 at a rate of one flight per week.
“one flight per week”
Omar Al-Hosary said that for the first time in the history of commercial operation of the airport, Deir ez-Zor International Airport will receive a regular flight by an European carrier, describing it as a step that reflects the development of air transport movement in Syria and the growing air link with Europe.
Al-Jazeera Net also tied the route to a broader set of development efforts in the eastern region, including a comprehensive development plan announced during the airport’s inauguration on August 5 and an industrial city in Deir ez-Zor covering about 2,200 hectares, expandable to 2,500 hectares.
The same report said the Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry, Basil Abdul-Hanan, anticipated about 700 facilities will operate in the industrial city, providing about 50,000 job opportunities for residents, and noted there are currently 60 applications to work in the city.
Euronews added that direct flights between Berlin and Aleppo are set to start on October 1, while LEAV Aviation of Germany will operate weekly direct flights between Cologne and Deir ez-Zor beginning September 1.
