Türkiye’s technical teams lead restoration of Syria’s main airport

Turkish technical teams have begun extensive renovation work at Damascus International Airport, aiming to restore the facility that was severely damaged during Syria’s 13-year civil war.

“We are rebuilding Damascus Airport,” Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu announced Sunday on social media platform X, detailing the comprehensive overhaul. “We are renovating everything from air-ground radio systems to security equipment, firefighting vehicles to navigation devices.”

Türkiye dispatches vehicles, devices, systems in six trucks to ensure safe flight operations

A 25-member technical team from Türkiye’s General Directorate of State Airports Authority entered Syria through the Cilvegozu Border Gate in Hatay’s Reyhanli district on February 7, according to a written statement from the minister.

“We have dispatched 113 vehicles, devices, and systems in six trucks to ensure safe flight operations at Damascus Airport and within Syrian airspace,” Uraloglu said. “Our team, which is currently installing these devices, will also complete the training of airport personnel.”

The renovation includes multiple specialized teams focusing on air navigation systems, terminal electronics, security, and airport rescue and firefighting operations. Turkish technicians have already repaired damaged navigation aid devices and installed two new radio transmitter and receiver systems in the airport’s air traffic control tower.

Fire safety at the facility has been enhanced with the deployment of two domestically-produced “Volkan Lion 8×8 combined ARFF vehicles” along with various firefighting equipment.