Saudi Arabia returns 2 impounded commercial planes back to Syria
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Saudi Arabia returned two Boeing 747 commercial planes impounded in Riyad since 2011 back to Syria, a source said on Monday.
An exclusive security source working a Syrian airport told North Press that the two planes were returned after relations between the two countries improved.
International sanctions have crippled Syrian civil aviation sector, preventing it from importing airplanes and spare parts for the maintenance of planes.
In May, despite sanctions, Saudi Arabia sent equipment and spare parts for the maintenance of civil aviation via Bahrain to the Syrian government, days after Syrian President Bashar al-Assad attended the 33 Arab summit.
Saudi Arabia had impounded the two planes since the start of the war in Syria in 2011.
Seven years ago, the former Syrian Minister of Transport, Ali Hamoud, said they had communicated with the Saudi authorities to retrieve the planes, but to no avail.
The planes arrived at Aleppo International Airport a few days ago after being repaired.
Days earlier, Syrian pilgrim convoys started travelling to Saudi Arabia for Hajj season. The source added that one of the two planes carried pilgrims to Riyadh.