Turkey has officially resumed direct flights between its capital, Ankara, and the Syrian capital, Damascus, marking a significant step in the thawing of relations between the two neighbouring countries.
Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloglu announced the development on social media platform X, declaring the launch of regular air services as a symbol of “deep-rooted friendship” between Turkey and Syria. The inaugural flight departed from Ankara’s Esenboğa Airport and landed at Damascus International Airport earlier this week.
According to the minister, flights will now operate three times a week between the two capitals, reflecting what he described as a “new bridge” of connection after years of strained diplomatic and logistical ties.
Most international carriers suspended flights to and from Damascus in 2012 following the onset of the Syrian civil war and the Syrian regime’s violent suppression of widespread protests. Turkey, which once supported opposition groups in Syria, also severed most official contact with Damascus during the conflict.
However, as regional dynamics shift and countries across the Middle East move toward normalisation with the Assad government, Turkey appears to be cautiously following suit.
The Syrian Civil Aviation and Air Transport Authority had earlier reopened Damascus International Airport to international traffic in January. Several regional carriers resumed services following that announcement, signaling growing confidence in the stability and safety of operations at the airport.
Turkey’s move to restore direct air connectivity aligns with broader regional efforts to reintegrate Syria diplomatically and economically, particularly after the country’s re-entry into the Arab League in 2023.
While Ankara and Damascus have yet to fully restore diplomatic ties at the ambassadorial level, the return of commercial flights is being seen by analysts as an early step toward re-establishing broader bilateral relations.
No official Syrian government comment was immediately available on the resumed flights, though state-affiliated media reported the arrival of the Turkish aircraft and welcomed the development as a boost for economic recovery and regional cooperation.
The resumption of flights is expected to facilitate not only business and diplomatic exchanges but also travel for Syrian nationals residing in Turkey, which hosts over 3 million Syrian refugees. The move may also open pathways for future talks on migration, reconstruction, and regional security issues.
Turkish officials have not specified whether flights from Istanbul or other Turkish cities will follow, but Uraloglu’s message hinted at a broader push to rebuild regional ties through infrastructure and transportation links.
