Turkey Assists Syria in Revamping Damascus Airport: Minister
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Synopsis
A Turkish technical team of 25 has initiated the renovation of Damascus International Airport, addressing damage from the civil war. The team, equipped with specialists and essential materials, aims to restore operations and enhance security measures at the airport.
Key Takeaways
- Turkey sends a 25-member team to Syria.
- Efforts focus on renovating Damascus International Airport.
- Team includes specialists in various airport operations.
- Security measures enhanced with new equipment.
- Collaboration with Syrian officials ongoing.
Ankara, Feb 17 (NationPress) A technical team comprising 25 members from Turkey has commenced efforts in Syria to renovate Damascus International Airport, stated Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu.
"Our team, which includes personnel from the General Directorate of State Airports Authority, has been sent to restore Damascus (International) Airport, which suffered extensive damage and became non-operational during the 13-year-long Syrian civil war," Uraloglu noted on Sunday in a written statement.
The 25-member team entered Syria via the Cilvegozu Border Gate located in the southern Turkish province of Hatay on February 7.
The Turkish minister elaborated that the technical team, which consists of experts in navigation, air traffic electronics, terminal electronics, security, and airport rescue and firefighting, has provided critical materials to the airport, according to reports from Xinhua news agency.
"To ensure safe flight operations at the airport and within Syrian airspace, we have sent 113 vehicles, devices, and systems through six trucks. Our team is not only installing the required equipment but will also train the airport's personnel," he stated.
Repair work has been done on several air navigation aid systems that were either damaged during the conflict or had been out of service for years. Moreover, two new radio receiver and transmitter systems have been set up in the control tower, as confirmed by Uraloglu.
To strengthen airport security, Turkey has supplied 10 X-ray machines, four explosive trace detectors, 10 walk-through metal detectors, and eight handheld detectors, he mentioned.
"Our teams, collaborating with Syrian officials, have successfully completed the installation of most of these devices. Ongoing efforts are aimed at further enhancing the security level of Damascus (International) Airport, with necessary assessments and reports being prepared," he remarked.
Although Turkey severed diplomatic ties with Syria in 2012, it has expressed support for a peaceful transition in the country following the downfall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government. Ankara has committed to assisting the new Syrian administration in rehabilitating the nation and establishing its governmental structures.
