Date announced: Emirates to reintroduce flights to Damascus

Emirates will resume flights to Damascus on July 16, 2025, marking its return to the Syrian capital for the first time since services were suspended in 2012. The relaunch follows a comprehensive operational evaluation conducted in coordination with the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).

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The airline will initially operate three weekly flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Sundays. From August 2, service will increase to four weekly flights with the addition of a Saturday route. Emirates plans to expand operations to daily service beginning October 26, a WAM report said.

“Emirates is pleased to restart operations to Damascus and support Syria’s road ahead by providing better choice and connectivity, essential economic links for inward investment, as well as opening new trade lanes and global market access,” said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group.

“Re-establishing air travel and connectivity is also good news for our customers—particularly the expansive Syrian diaspora across the Americas, Europe, and the GCC—who are eager to fly back home, reconnect with their roots, and contribute their knowledge, skills, and resources to Syria’s ongoing development efforts,” he added.

Sheikh Ahmed also thanked the Syrian authorities for their support in restoring air links between Dubai and Damascus, and expressed optimism about enhancing connectivity through regularly scheduled operations.

Emirates will deploy a 302-seat Boeing 777-200LR on the route. The service is expected to boost travel options across the airline’s global network of nearly 150 destinations, while also supporting the UAE’s efforts to strengthen bilateral ties and assist Syria’s rebuilding efforts in sectors such as energy, construction, and agriculture.

Customers flying to and from Damascus will benefit from the airline’s codeshare agreement with flydubai, offering greater scheduling flexibility and convenience.

Emirates originally launched flights to Damascus in 1988 and had carried over 2.1 million passengers on the route before suspending operations in 2012. The airline currently serves 13 cities across the Middle East and GCC, operating a total of 191 weekly flights in the region.

flydubai Launches Daily Flights to Damascus

Dubai-based carrier flydubai also resumed flights to Syria, with the inaugural flight FZ 115 landing at Damascus International Airport on June 1 to a ceremonial water cannon salute.

The airline will now operate daily flights to the Syrian capital, marking the first UAE-based commercial flight to Syria in nearly 12 years.

Among the dignitaries welcoming the inaugural flight were UAE Ambassador to Syria Hassan Ahmed Al Shehhi, alongside Abdul Bari Al Saj, Deputy Chairman of the Syrian Civil Aviation Authority, and Amjad Nakhkhal, Director of the Authority.