Syria's Damascus Airport Returns To International Flights After Bashar Al-Assad Falls

JAKARTA - Damascus International Airport, in Damascus, Syria again served international commercial flights on Tuesday, following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad's administration, when the airport returned to full operation.

The Syrian Air flight with 145 passengers leaving the capital for Sharjah International Airport in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) marks the first international commercial flight from Damascus since December 8, the official Sana news agency reported, quoted from The National News January 7.

The inaugural international flight at 11:45 p.m. was then followed by the landing of the Qatar Airways plane at around 13:00 p.m., marking the Gulf nation's first commercial flight to Syria in nearly 13 years, quoted by the Daily Sabah.

Qatar Airways suspended its services to the Syrian capital and Aleppo in 2011 due to civil war in the country.

The airline said it was working with authorities to ensure that all safety, security and operational standards were met before the relaunch.

"We are pleased to be able to continue our flight to Damascus, a destination that has very important historical and cultural value," said Qatar Airways Group Badr chief executive Al Meer.

"This announcement underscores our dedication to improving connectivity and facilitating travel for our passengers," he added.

Meanwhile, Jordanian Government news agency Petra reported on Tuesday that a Royal Jordanian Airlines plane had departed for Damascus for a test flight.

The flight is a "message of support and solidarity" aimed at assessing the technical conditions of Damascus International Airport, said Haitham Misto, head of the Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission.