Direct Flights Resume
Syria's General Authority of Civil Aviation has announced the start of regular direct flights between Syrian airports and Germany, operated by two German carriers, Sundair and LEAV Aviation. The authority said the new routes are meant to strengthen air connectivity and give travelers additional options after years in which scheduled direct service between the two countries was unavailable.
Four Routes, Staggered Dates
LEAV Aviation is set to open the first link, flying Dusseldorf to Damascus from 29 July 2026, followed by a Cologne to Aleppo route from 1 August 2026. Sundair plans to begin Berlin to Damascus service on 1 August 2026 and add a Berlin to Aleppo route from 1 October 2026.
The phased calendar brings both of Syria's international gateways back onto the direct European map within roughly two months, rather than in a single opening.
Two Named Gateways
Damascus and Aleppo, the two Syrian airports named in the plan, will each receive scheduled European traffic. Extending the routes to Aleppo carries the reconnection beyond the capital toward the north.
Ban Eases to Advisory
The flights still hinge on German regulatory and operational clearances that remain pending. A German prohibition on direct travel to Syria is expected to lapse at the end of July 2026, shifting from a binding ban to a non-binding recommendation against such trips.
Economic Stakes
Regular passenger links to Europe had disappeared during Syria's prolonged international isolation. Restoring them carries weight beyond tourism: direct air access lowers the time and cost of moving people and goods, eases the return of expatriates, and signals to companies that cross-border commercial ties are reopening.
The authority presented the routes as part of a broader effort to rebuild the country's aviation network, though it did not disclose flight frequencies, aircraft types, or expected passenger numbers.