Damascus International Airport received the first direct flight arriving from the German capital Berlin, after regular flights between the two countries were suspended for about 14 years, a step reflecting a new development in restoring Syrian air transport and strengthening its links with international destinations.
Official sources said the Syrian Airlines plane arrived in Damascus, marking the resumption of direct flights between the two capitals, amid technical and logistical preparations made by the relevant authorities at the airport to receive passengers, without announcing details of the upcoming flight schedule.
The return of flights between Damascus and Berlin comes within efforts aimed at revitalizing Syria's civil aviation sector, which has seen a major decline since 2012 due to political and security conditions and sanctions that affected air traffic and agreements concluded with international airlines.
The step was preceded by the resumption of direct flights from other European destinations, as Damascus International Airport received in early July the first Syrian flight coming from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands, after a hiatus that lasted more than a decade.
Restoring air links with European cities is seen as an important step to expand the network of international destinations, facilitate the movement of Syrians residing abroad, and boost the movement of visitors and travelers to and from the country.
The resumption of direct flights would ease the burden of travel for Syrians in Europe, many of whom have been forced in past years to use intermediate airports to reach their country, in addition to strengthening social ties and communication between expatriates and their families.
The return of international air traffic is also expected to contribute to supporting economic activity, trade exchange and tourism, and facilitating the movement of goods and humanitarian aid, along with providing new opportunities for the transport sector and related services.
In a related context, the authorities concerned with the civil aviation sector are working to develop the infrastructure of Syrian airports by modernizing air traffic control systems, landing equipment and technical facilities, in a way that enhances safety and security levels and raises the operational capacity of airports.
Efforts are also directed toward expanding cooperation with regional and international airlines and reactivating additional air routes linking Syria with Arab and European cities.
The return of direct flights between Damascus and Berlin constitutes an important station in efforts to restore the activity of Syrian civil aviation, amid aspirations to expand the flight network and turn Damascus International Airport once again into a regional and international connection point, supporting the movement of travelers and economic activities in the coming period.
