Syrianair Restarts Damascus-Aleppo Flights Amid Transition

Ten days following the overthrow of the Bashar al-Assad government in Syria, the national flag carrier, Syrianair (RB), has resumed domestic operations with a flight from Damascus to Aleppo on December 18, 2024. This marked a significant step in reestablishing air connectivity within the country amidst a period of political upheaval.

The inaugural flight was operated using an Airbus A320-200, registration YK-AKH (msn 1416), which carried a mix of journalists, politicians, and paying passengers. The 23.9-year-old aircraft featured a subtle repaint, symbolizing the new political landscape in Syria. Notably, the flag of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebels replaced the previous banner on both the wingtips and fuselage, reflecting the shift in governance and control within the nation.

Syrianair’s operations currently include a single roundtrip on the crucial Damascus-Aleppo route. However, the airline has not announced any plans to expand its domestic services beyond this initial flight. Presently, six out of its seven remaining Airbus A320-200s are parked at Damascus International Airport, with the seventh aircraft stationed in Kuwait. Additionally, both of the airline’s Airbus A340-300s remain inactive, one located at the Syrian gateway airport and the other in Tehran Imam Khomeini Airport.

Amidst these operational changes, the Syrian authorities have issued a Notice to Air Personnel (NOTAM) indicating that all flights to and from Damascus will continue to require individual “special permissions” from the Syrian Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) until at least December 24, 2024. An anonymous airport official informed Al Jazeera that international flights are expected to resume on December 24 once the necessary maintenance works are completed, signaling a cautious but optimistic outlook for the region’s aviation sector.

The reopening of Damascus and the entire Syrian airspace follows a sudden closure on December 8, when the Assad government collapsed. Although the airspace was reopened on December 15, it initially allowed only overflights, limiting commercial and passenger flights until the recent developments.

In parallel, Cham Wings Airlines (SAW), a privately-owned carrier based in Damascus, had previously planned to restart international operations with a flight to Moscow Sheremetyevo on December 18. However, due to ongoing restrictions and the requirement for special permissions, Cham Wings has deferred its relaunch, awaiting further clarity on international flight regulations.

Syrianair’s return to domestic operations signifies a critical move towards normalizing air travel within Syria, providing essential connectivity between key cities like Damascus and Aleppo. This development is expected to facilitate not only passenger travel but also the movement of goods and services, contributing to the country’s broader recovery and stabilization efforts.

As Syria navigates through its post-Assad transition, the aviation sector plays a pivotal role in reconnecting the nation internally and eventually with the global community. The resumption of flights by Syrianair and the anticipated restart of international services by Cham Wings Airlines are positive indicators of progress, despite the challenges posed by the recent political changes and regulatory requirements.

With the first domestic flight successfully completed, all eyes will be on the forthcoming months to observe how Syrianair and other Syrian carriers adapt to the new operational landscape. The support from international aviation authorities and the stability of the regional environment will be crucial in determining the pace and extent of aviation sector recovery in Syria.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com