Syria Reopens Airspace for Overflights After Week-Long Closure

Syria’s newly installed government reopened the country’s airspace to overflights on December 15, 2024, following a week-long closure. Minister of Transport Bahaa el-Din Sharm confirmed that the country’s two major airports, Damascus and Aleppo, would also reopen “in the coming days.”

The Syrian Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) lifted its Notice to Air Personnel (NOTAM) that had closed the entire airspace and replaced it with two separate NOTAMs for the two primary airports. Flights to both Damascus and Aleppo are now possible, but only with “special permission from the SCAA,” as the situation remains under careful oversight.

MEA – Middle East Airlines (ME) became the first airline to resume overflights of Syrian airspace, marking a significant step forward. The Lebanese Minister of Public Works and Transport, Ali Hamie, confirmed the move, stating that the decision followed coordination with the International Civil Aviation Organization and Syrian aviation authorities. Hamie also encouraged other airlines, particularly Iraqi Airways, to restart flights between Iraq and Lebanon.

However, an analysis by ch-aviation, based on Flightradar24 ADS-B data, showed that as of December 15, other airlines continued to avoid Syrian airspace. The move comes after a turbulent period for Syria’s aviation industry, which was severely impacted by political instability.

Syrian air carriers Syrianair and Cham Wings Airlines remain grounded. Cham Wings has tentatively scheduled a restart of operations for December 18, planning flights to Moscow Sheremetyevo.

Syria’s airspace had been closed following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s government by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebels on December 8. The closure of airspace was part of the country’s response to the shift in political control.

Syria’s third active airport, Latakia, is still under Russian military control and is not currently serving civilian flights. Despite a significant troop withdrawal, reports indicate that Russia will continue to maintain its presence at the facility, even after the collapse of its ally, the Syrian government.

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