Emirates Resumes Damascus Flights After 13 Years

Emirates has officially resumed service to Damascus, Syria, marking its return to the city after a 13-year suspension due to the Syrian civil war. The first reinstated flight, EK913, departed from Dubai International Airport (DXB) and landed at Damascus International Airport (DAM) on July 16, 2025, carrying 286 passengers. Upon arrival at 14:30 local time, the aircraft was greeted with a traditional water cannon salute.

This milestone restores Damascus to Emirates’ network of Middle East destinations and underscores the airline’s ongoing commitment to regional connectivity. Emirates had initially begun operations to Syria in 1988 and, prior to suspending flights in 2012, had carried more than 2.1 million passengers to and from the country.

Adil Al Ghaith, Senior Vice President Commercial Operations at Emirates, noted the historic significance of Syria for the airline. “The UAE and Syria have historically enjoyed strong bilateral ties and the country has always been an important market for Emirates,” he said. Emirates officials were onboard the inaugural flight and led the arrival ceremony upon touchdown in Damascus.

The flight was welcomed by a VIP delegation that included Syrian officials, representatives from the General Authority of Civil Aviation, Damascus airport executives, and local media. Alaa Sallal, Director of Public Relations at Syria’s Civil Aviation Authority, praised the joint efforts by Syrian and UAE authorities, saying their coordination was key to restoring operations.

While the celebratory first flight has taken place, regular commercial service will initially operate three times a week—on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Sundays. Starting August 2, 2025, Emirates will add a Saturday flight, bringing the frequency to four times weekly. Full daily service is scheduled to begin on October 26, 2025.

The route will be operated using Boeing 777-200LR aircraft configured with 38 Business Class seats in a 2-2-2 layout and 264 Economy Class seats. The aircraft offers a premium experience tailored for both leisure and business travelers returning to or connecting through Syria.

The resumption of Emirates flights to Damascus reflects a broader normalization of air travel in the region and the reestablishment of commercial links following years of instability. The airline now serves 14 destinations in the Middle East and GCC with a total of 194 weekly flights, reinforcing its position as one of the region’s leading carriers.

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