Enab Baladi – Lama Diab
The war and neglect by the previous regime caused the suspension of maintenance and modernization operations at Syrian airports, most notably Damascus and Aleppo International Airports, affecting the level of services and the ability to meet travelers’ needs.
Since the establishment of the Civil Aviation Authority, work has begun to rehabilitate Damascus International Airport, both in terms of technical aspects and infrastructure, such as service buildings, the airport lounge, service annexes, the main passenger terminal, and runway repairs, which are still underway, according to the Director of Public Relations at the Civil Aviation Authority, Alaa Salal.
Salal explained to Enab Baladi that the Civil Aviation Authority is responsible for carrying out the rehabilitation works in collaboration with some local companies at present.
Ongoing work
There is no final estimated cost for the rehabilitation works at Damascus International Airport, according to the Director of Public Relations at the Civil Aviation Authority, noting that there are new projects that the authority is continuously undertaking.
The authority has also directed efforts towards the rehabilitation of Aleppo International Airport, which reopened two months ago, despite having been destroyed twice, and it has been fully repaired and the runways prepared, according to Salal.
Regarding other Syrian airports, Salal pointed out that Deir Ezzor Airport was visited four months ago, and when the necessary resources are available, work will begin on its rehabilitation. As for Qamishli Airport, it falls under the Civil Aviation Authority, and efforts will be made to rehabilitate it according to agreements between the Syrian Presidency and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
Concerning Latakia Airport, the authority is awaiting political discussions between the Syrian and Russian governments, as Hmeimim Airport hosts a Russian military base and is also a civilian airport.
Salal mentioned that domestic flights have begun between Damascus and Aleppo and vice versa, and if the other airports are rehabilitated, there will be flights to and from all airports.
New aircraft and rehabilitation agreements
Efforts are underway to increase the number of aircraft in service to five within three months, as mentioned by Sameh Orabi, Director of Syrian Airlines, according to what was reported by Syrian Airlines via its account on X.
He explained that this step comes in response to the increasing demand for flights and expanding air routes.
Last February, the Syrian Civil Aviation Authority signed a cooperation agreement with the International Civil Aviation Organization in the Middle East (ICAO) to update infrastructure and improve air navigation efficiency in Syria.
Since the fall of the ousted regime on December 8, 2024, the aviation sector has seen the return of major companies and the resumption of flights that had been halted for over 14 years.
Damascus International Airport resumed operations on January 7, following a month-long suspension due to military operations that ended Assad’s regime.
Aleppo Airport was officially rehabilitated after more than three months of inactivity following the regime’s fall, with the first internal flight landing on March 18.
Flights are arriving at Damascus Airport from various new destinations, such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Turkey, with no less than four weekly flights between each country.
Syrian Airlines
Syria Airlines was established in 1946 with two Cessna master helicopters, and began operating flights between Syrian airports in Damascus, Aleppo, Deir Ezzor, and then Qamishli. In 1975, its name was changed to the “Syrian Arab Aviation Corporation” by a presidential decree that stipulated in its second article the establishment of a public corporation named “Syrian Arab Airlines,” headquartered in Damascus and reporting to the Minister of Transport. This corporation is considered in its dealings with others as if it were a business and is subject to commercial law.
Before 2011, revenues from air transport in the Civil Aviation Institution reached approximately $27.5 million, but they declined during the early years of the war to $3.7 million, with air traffic revenues dropping by 90%, landing fees by 95%, and revenue from the Syrian Arab Airlines falling from $200 million to $60 million.
Civil Aviation Authority qualifies airports in collaboration with local companies Enab Baladi.
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