Saudi Arabia's Flynas airline launched regular direct flights between Riyadh and Aleppo on Saturday, operating its inaugural service. The flight was hailed as a significant step in the revival of regional aviation links to Syria.
Syria's General Authority of Civil Aviation said in a statement that Aleppo Airport received Flynas' first flight. The authority stated, "This step marks the beginning of scheduled direct flights between Riyadh and Aleppo."
As international and regional airlines accelerate their return to Syria, civil aviation authorities announced on Monday evening that two Germany-based companies, Leaf Aviation and Zondair, have also resumed regular flights.
Last May, the relevant authority reported that the number of companies operating flights to the country had risen to 12. Flight activity in Syrian airspace had plummeted since 2012 due to security conditions and the classification of the airspace as a 'high-risk area.'
On December 8, 2024, Syrian opposition forces entered the capital Damascus and toppled the regime of Bashar al-Assad (2000-2024). Assad had taken power from his father Hafez al-Assad (1971-2000).