Emirates Airline has confirmed it will restart flights to Damascus, the capital of Syria, after a 13-year break.
Emirates lifts ban on Damascus flights
This major development comes after operations were halted in 2012 due to the Syrian conflict, which posed serious safety risks at the time.
Starting from 16 July 2025, Emirates will run three flights per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Sundays. The airline plans to increase this to four flights weekly in August and eventually offer daily service from 26 October.
The return to Damascus follows a detailed safety review conducted with the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). Emirates said the decision is aimed at helping Syria rebuild its economy and improve connections with the rest of the world.
Flights will use the Boeing 777-200LR, which carries 302 passengers—38 in Business Class and 264 in Economy.
Flights from Dubai will depart at 12:00 and arrive in Damascus at 14:10 local time. The return leg leaves Damascus at 16:30, landing in Dubai at 20:30.
Passengers on these flights will benefit from Emirates’ partnership with flydubai, giving them more options and convenience when travelling to or from Syria.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and Group, said the airline is excited to reconnect Dubai and Damascus:
“Re-establishing air travel and connectivity is also good news for our customers that make up the expansive Syrian diaspora… eager to fly back home and reconnect to their roots.”
He also added that the new service will support inward investment and help rebuild trade routes.
Why did Emirates cancel flights to Syria’s capital?
Before the suspension in 2012, Emirates had served Damascus since 1988 and had transported over 2.1 million passengers. The suspension came when road access to the Damascus airport became dangerous due to violent clashes between Syrian forces and rebel groups. Emirates cited the safety of passengers and crew as the main reason for the halt.
With bilateral trade between Syria and the UAE reaching nearly US $680 million in 2024, the resumption of flights is expected to give economic relations a further boost.
Syria also has a large community living in the UAE—over 350,000 Syrians—who contribute significantly to the economy.
Emirates passengers will have access to the airline’s full range of services, including Levant-inspired meals and Arabic entertainment content through its inflight system, ice.
The return of flights marks a step toward Syria’s reintegration into global networks and comes at a time when both countries are looking to deepen diplomatic and economic ties.
