Syrian Airlines resumes direct Amsterdam-Damascus flights after 14 years

Syrian Airlines operated its first direct scheduled flight between Amsterdam and Damascus in 14 years, following the easing of European Union sanctions.

Scraper SystemJuly 02, 2026, 11:10 PM

Syrian Airlines resumes direct Amsterdam-Damascus flights after 14 years

First flight departs from Amsterdam

Syrian Airlines today resumed direct flights between Amsterdam and the capital Damascus. According to live data from flight tracking platforms, the inaugural flight departed Amsterdam Schiphol Airport at 10:20 local time bound for Damascus International Airport.

The flight was operated with an Airbus A320 aircraft that Syrian Airlines leased from Heston Airlines. Syria's official news agency SANA announced that the aircraft arrived in Damascus in the afternoon.

14-year flight ban ends

Direct air traffic between the two countries had been suspended for about 14 years since October 2012. At the time, the European Union imposed sanctions banning Syrian aircraft from landing at European airports and using European airspace, citing the then Syrian government's repression of civilians and human rights violations.

These restrictions came under review after the former regime was toppled in late 2024, paving the way for a reconsideration of the flight ban on civil aviation.

Harbinger of new routes

Enver Akkad, CEO of Syrian Aviation Holding, stated that the Amsterdam route is a vital bridge connecting Syrians abroad to their homeland, and that this step is the first of several new international destinations to be announced in quick succession. Akkad also said there are positive signs that European operators will start flights to Syria.

Ömer el-Hasri, Director General of the Syrian Civil Aviation and Air Transport Authority, announced that procedures for resuming direct flights with Germany are nearing completion and that they are awaiting a final decision from the relevant authorities.