Talks on Airport Expansion
Officials from Syria's civil aviation authority met with representatives of Kuwaiti and Turkish companies on 23 July 2026 to discuss expanding and developing Deir Ezzor International Airport in line with international standards.
An initial expansion plan was presented during the meeting, aimed at improving infrastructure, raising operational efficiency, and accommodating anticipated growth in air traffic. The talks centered on cooperation prospects for developing the airport in line with international standards. No investment figures were disclosed.
Foreign Operators at the Table
The companies present included Kuwait's Al-Roudhan and Al-Mutawaah Holding and Turkey's Limak, which specializes in airport investment and operation. The Kuwaiti side was represented by Khaled al-Roudhan and the Turkish side by Limak board member Hakan Ozturk.
The Syrian delegation was led by the head of the General Authority for Civil Aviation, Omar al-Hassiri, together with his deputies Abdul-Bari al-Saj and Amjad Nakhil.
Rehabilitation Nears Completion
The airport announced on 15 July 2026 that it had completed the core phases of its rehabilitation and reached operational readiness. A reopening is scheduled for early August 2026, once final regulatory procedures are cleared.
The discussions with foreign operators point to interest in a longer-term role in running and expanding the facility beyond its immediate return to service, building on the completed rehabilitation work.
Eastern Syria's Air Link
Deir Ezzor International Airport serves the country's east, a region whose transport links were heavily damaged during years of conflict. A functioning airport would restore a direct air connection for the governorate and support the movement of people and goods.
The involvement of Kuwaiti and Turkish operators signals foreign interest in Syria's transport infrastructure at a time when authorities are seeking outside partners to help rebuild it. The scale and terms of any eventual role, however, were left undefined.