Syria's Damascus Airport Set to Reopen for International Flights
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Damascus, Jan 4 (NationPress) Syria's Damascus International Airport is scheduled to start accepting international flights on Tuesday, as revealed by Ashhad al-Salibi, the chairman of the Syrian General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport, during a statement on Saturday.
Al-Salibi informed the state news agency SANA that efforts are underway to completely restore both the airports in Damascus and the northern city of Aleppo to facilitate the resumption of international flights.
Flight operations at these airports had been halted after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's administration in December.
On January 7, Qatar Airways is set to restart its flights to Damascus, coinciding with the nation's reopening of its embassy in the Syrian capital, which had been closed for 13 years.
The airline plans to provide three weekly flights to the city, emphasizing its significant historical and cultural value.
Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, CEO of Qatar Airways Group, stated that this initiative highlights the airline's dedication to enhancing connectivity and making travel accessible for passengers.
Qatar's embassy in Damascus was reopened on December 21, 2024, after the former president's government fell on December 8, having been closed since 2011 due to the civil war.
On December 30, the initial Qatari humanitarian aid flight arrived at Damascus International Airport.
The Qatari Foreign Ministry reported that the flight delivered crucial humanitarian supplies, including ambulances, medicines, food items, and technical assistance to aid in the airport's reopening, all funded by the Qatar Fund for Development.
According to Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad, Qatari Minister of State for International Cooperation, "This initiative will expedite the distribution of aid to those in need."
The minister reaffirmed Qatar's ongoing support for Syria through various entry points and expressed the nation’s unwavering commitment to assisting Syria in both humanitarian and developmental areas.
