Dan Air Launches First EU Flights to Damascus
Dan Air, the Bucharest-based carrier that began operating under its own brand in June 2023, is set to become the first European Union airline to resume service to Syria following the ousting of longtime President Bashar al-Assad in December. The airline has slated four weekly routes to Damascus from Germany, Romania and Sweden, marking a significant step in reconnecting Syria with European markets. Dan Air will join Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian and Turkish Airlines as the only international carriers serving Syrian air travelers, underscoring renewed confidence in Syria’s aviation sector.
According to Dan Air’s online booking system, flights from Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport to Damascus International Airport will commence on June 15, operating six times per week on Airbus A320 aircraft. Additional services will launch from Stockholm Arlanda Airport on June 15, Frankfurt Airport on June 16 and Berlin Brandenburg Airport on June 17, each with two weekly departures. This phased rollout is designed to meet projected demand while ensuring operational reliability as Syria’s air transport network rebuilds.
“Aviation should connect, not isolate,” said Dan Air CEO Matt Ian David. “Syria has a real need for connectivity, and we chose to respond with professionalism and responsibility. We’re proud to operate these routes under strict international safety and security standards.” By positioning itself as the first EU-based carrier to return to Syria, Dan Air aims to facilitate business travel, family reunifications and cultural exchanges that have been restricted for over a decade.
Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian and Turkish Airlines each resumed Damascus flights in January, with Qatar operating ten weekly flights from Doha, Turkish Airlines flying daily services, and Royal Jordanian offering eleven weekly flights from Amman’s Queen Alia International Airport. On May 6, Royal Jordanian also restarted thrice-weekly service to Aleppo. These resumptions reflect broader diplomatic efforts to reintegrate Syria into regional networks after years of civil war and international isolation.
Syria’s reentry into international aviation follows more than a decade of conflict that began in 2011 during the Arab Spring uprisings. The Assad government’s removal in late 2024, achieved through a negotiated political settlement and mounting international pressure, cleared the way for diplomatic normalization and the gradual resumption of commercial flights. Industry analysts view Dan Air’s announcement as an important barometer of Syria’s recovery and a sign that other EU carriers may soon follow suit.
In March, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) signed a Management Service Agreement with Syria’s General Authority for Civil Aviation to rebuild the country’s aviation infrastructure, ensure compliance with global safety standards and restore Damascus and Aleppo to the ICAO map. This agreement has paved the way for inspections, air traffic control upgrades and training programs aimed at meeting stringent international regulations.
Dan Air’s launch of EU-based service to Damascus holds both symbolic and practical significance. It not only offers travelers direct access to Syria from key European capitals but also strengthens trade and tourism prospects for the war-torn nation. For Bucharest and Stockholm residents, the new routes provide convenient links for humanitarian aid workers, journalists and aid organizations eager to support reconstruction efforts.
Travelers interested in booking flights can access Dan Air’s website or contact their preferred travel agent to reserve seats on the newly announced Damascus routes. With the prospect of stable six-times-weekly and twice-weekly services, Dan Air is poised to redefine EU-Syria connectivity and to play a central role in restoring Syria’s place on the global aviation stage.
Related News : https://airguide.info/?s=Dan+Air