Qatar Airways will be the first major carrier to resume flights to Syria after the fall of dictator Bashar al-Assad.
The Doha-based airline announced that it will fly three times a week to Damascus from January 7. The aircraft to be used was not revealed but Qatar illustrated the statement with an Airbus A330-300.
Since the start of the country’s civil war 12 years ago, Qatar Airways has not flown to Syria. The return comes weeks after rebels seized power while al-Assad fled to Russia.
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“Qatar Airways is working closely with relevant authorities to ensure that all necessary safety, security, and operational standards are met ahead of the relaunch,” the airline assured.
“We are pleased to resume flights to Damascus, a destination of great historical and cultural importance. This announcement underscores our dedication to fostering connectivity and facilitating travel for our passengers,” said Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, CEO of Qatar.
Qatar has taken on a negotiating role amid several conflicts in the Middle East. Therefore, the decision to return the airline is part of a strategy to normalize relations with the Arab country.
Currently, few airlines maintain regular flights from Damascus, including Syrian Air, UR Airlines, Cham Wings Airlines and cargo carrier Taquan Air.
