Syria to resume international flights to, from Damascus, Jan. 7

Syria announced on Jan. 4, that international flights to and from Damascus International Airport will resume next week, following their suspension after last month’s opposition-led takeover.

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

“We reassure Arab and international airlines that we have begun the phase of rehabilitating the Aleppo and Damascus airports with our partners’ help, so that they can welcome flights from all over the world,” he said.

While international aid planes have continued to land in Syria and domestic flights have already resumed, the return of commercial international flights marks a significant step towards restoring the country’s air connectivity.

On Thursday, Qatar Airways announced it will resume flights to the Syrian capital after nearly 13 years, starting with three weekly flights on Tuesday.