Emirates to relaunch Syria services
June 2, 2025
Emirates will resume passenger flights to the Syrian capital from 16 July 2025, marking the return of a key Middle East route that had been suspended since 2012.
The decision follows a thorough review by the airline in coordination with the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority.
The Dubai-based carrier will initially operate three flights per week to Damascus, with services scheduled on Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays. A fourth weekly frequency will be added on Saturdays starting 2 August, before the route moves to a daily schedule from 26 October.
Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, 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 inwards investment as well as opening new trade lanes and global market access for the country.
“Re-establishing air travel and connectivity is also good news for our customers that make up the expansive Syrian diaspora across the Americas, Europe and the GCC, who are eager to fly back home and reconnect to their roots, and leverage their knowledge, skills, expertise and resources in ongoing development efforts.
“We would like to thank the Syrian authorities for their support in strengthening connectivity between Dubai and Damascus and look forward to boosting links to and from the country through our regularly scheduled operations.”
According to 2024 figures, bilateral trade reached US$680 million, representing a 23 percent increase year-on-year. The UAE is also home to a large Syrian expatriate population, numbering over 350,000.
Flights will be operated using Emirates’ Boeing 777-200LR aircraft. Customers will also benefit from the airline’s codeshare agreement with flydubai, providing increased connectivity options beyond Damascus.
Emirates first began flying to Damascus in 1988. Before the suspension of operations in 2012, the airline had transported more than 2.1 million passengers to and from Syria.
