Syria sees surge in air traffic as airlines reroute amid Iran conflict – Report
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Syria has recorded a sharp increase in aircraft transits through its airspace as regional airlines reroute flights to avoid areas affected by the Iran conflict, generating a potential new source of revenue for the country’s aviation sector, Reuters reported on Monday.
According to figures released by Syria’s General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA), 11,801 flights crossed Syrian airspace in May, more than double the 4,267 overflights recorded in February, the last full month before the outbreak of hostilities involving Iran disrupted regional aviation routes.
The May figure also represents an increase of approximately 375 percent compared with the same month last year.
The rise comes after airlines were forced to alter flight paths when airspace over parts of Iraq and the Gulf was temporarily disrupted following U.S. and Israeli strikes linked to the Iran conflict. Although a ceasefire later allowed some routes to reopen, many carriers operating flights between Gulf hubs such as Dubai and Doha and destinations in Europe have continued to use Syrian airspace.
The increase could provide a financial boost for Syria. Based on a flat overflight fee of $499 per aircraft introduced earlier this year, May’s traffic may have generated up to $5.9 million in revenue, according to Reuters calculations. Syrian aviation authorities declined to comment on revenue estimates.
Omar al-Hosari, head of GACA, said the increase in overflight traffic reflects a growing confidence among airlines in Syrian airspace as a regional transit corridor.
He noted that authorities have updated air routes, reassessed traffic patterns, and strengthened navigation, surveillance, and air traffic control systems in line with standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The increase follows infrastructure upgrades at Damascus International Airport, including the installation of advanced radar and navigation systems provided by Turkey late last year.
Despite the growth, aviation monitoring group OPSGroup continues to classify Syrian airspace as high risk, noting that air traffic management relies largely on procedural control, the most basic level of air traffic control.
European aviation authorities still advise airlines to avoid flying over Syria and parts of the region due to ongoing security concerns linked to the Iran conflict.
While current traffic levels remain below those recorded before Syria’s conflict began in 2011, officials view the recent increase as a sign of the country’s gradual reintegration into regional aviation networks after years of isolation.