Damascus International Airport to Resume Flights After Month-Long Closure
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Flights at Damascus International Airport are set to resume on Tuesday after a month-long suspension due to maintenance and runway upgrades, sources confirmed Monday evening.
The airport had been closed since December 8, following the fall of the Assad regime, to allow for extensive renovations aimed at restoring the facility’s operational capacity.
First Flights Scheduled
The first outbound flight is scheduled to depart Damascus at 10:00 a.m. local time, bound for Dubai, while an incoming flight from Qatar is expected to land at 1:00 p.m.
Airport officials emphasized that all necessary safety checks and upgrades have been completed to ensure smooth operations.
Post-Regime Transition
The closure of the airport occurred amidst Syria’s turbulent political transition. The airport’s restoration was prioritized to facilitate humanitarian aid, economic recovery, and the re-establishment of international connectivity, which had been disrupted for years due to the conflict and sanctions.
Economic and Strategic Importance
Damascus International Airport serves as a critical hub for Syria’s connectivity to the wider region. Its reopening is seen as a symbolic step towards rebuilding and stabilizing the country’s infrastructure in the aftermath of the regime’s collapse.
Travel and trade experts believe that resuming flights could boost Syria’s fragile economy by enabling smoother transport of goods and passengers.
Challenges Ahead
Despite the positive development, significant challenges remain, including ensuring security at the airport and restoring confidence among international carriers. Observers note that the airport’s ability to attract global airlines will depend on further political stabilization and the easing of regional tensions.
Looking Forward
For many Syrians, the reopening of Damascus International Airport represents a glimmer of hope in a period of profound uncertainty. As flights resume, all eyes will be on how the facility navigates the complexities of the new political and economic landscape.
The resumption of operations is not just a logistical milestone but a step towards reconnecting Syria to the world.