Following the transfer of Latakia International Airport to the Syrian administration, Syrian and Russian delegations met to discuss technical work to prepare the facility for the resumption of civilian flights.
An expanded meeting held at the airport on Thursday, August 13, reviewed the completion of the handover procedures as well as subsequent technical and operational arrangements. The preparations required for the resumption of civilian flights were also addressed.
Syrian delegation inspects the airport
Deputy Chairman of the Civil Aviation and Air Transport Administration Abdulbari al-Saj, Samih Arabi and directors of various departments attended the meeting on behalf of Syria.
The delegation inspected the airport's infrastructure, equipment and operational systems to identify the technical requirements that will be needed in the next phase.
These efforts are part of a plan to restore Latakia International Airport to service and prepare it for operations before civilian flights resume.
Management transferred to Syria on August 9
The Civil Aviation and Air Transport Administration announced that it took over the management of Latakia Airport on August 9, following the signing of a reciprocal memorandum of understanding.
The Syrian Foreign Ministry said the memorandum was reached after 18 months of negotiations. It provides for a reorganization of Russia's presence on Syria's Mediterranean coast and the transfer of civilian facilities to the Syrian state.
Under the agreement, Syria is to assume management of civilian facilities, including Hmeimim Air Base and the fourth commercial berth at Tartus Port, while Russia's presence along the coast is to be reorganized.
Use of Latakia Airport during the Russian period
Latakia Airport remained under the near-total control of Russian military forces from late 2015 onward. Under an agreement with Assad's former administration, the facility was operated as Hmeimim Air Base.
The agreement granted Moscow the right to use the airport free of charge and indefinitely as the main hub for its air operations in Syria.
Russia provided military and political support to the government of former President Bashar Assad throughout the Syrian conflict from 2011 to 2024.
On December 8, 2024, Syrian opposition groups entered Damascus and declared that the Assad administration had fallen. This brought more than 50 years of rule by the Assad family to an end.
