Syrian Airlines Restarts Damascus-Moscow Flights After 18-Month Pause

Syrian Airlines marked a significant milestone on August 16, 2026, with the first passenger flight landing at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO) since the route’s suspension over 18 months ago. The early morning arrival at 06:44 local time reinstated direct air connectivity between Syria’s capital Damascus and Russia’s capital city. The return leg departed from Moscow on the same day, setting a weekly Sunday schedule for these strategically important flights. This resumption comes after suspension of the route in December 2024 amid Syria’s unsettled political circumstances.

The restoration of direct Damascus-Moscow service is part of a wider initiative led by Syria’s General Authority of Civil Aviation to reclaim the nation’s disrupted air links. Omar Al Hosari, the authority’s president, framed this development as a key component of Syrian Airlines’ ongoing strategy to rebuild its regional and international footprint. Mr. Al Hosari indicated that reinstating this route enables Syrian citizens to access broader travel opportunities and strengthens Syria’s air transport connections with important geopolitical partners.

Recent months have seen an uptick in Syrian Airlines’ reestablishment of services to various destinations after years of constrained operations. Notably, on August 15, 2026, Syrian Airlines relaunched direct flights between Damascus and Berlin for the first time in nearly 14 years, highlighting an attempt to reconnect with European markets. Earlier, in July 2026, the airline had resumed Damascus-Amsterdam flights, marking a comeback on another key European route. In addition, flights to Madinah, Saudi Arabia, were restarted in August 2026, confirming efforts to rebuild links within the regional network.

The airline faces formidable operational challenges due to longstanding US sanctions imposed since the early 1980s, which have severely restricted asset acquisition and maintenance capabilities. Syrian Airlines’ current fleet, as detailed by aviation analytics provider ch-aviation, includes eight Airbus A320s, two Airbus A340-300s, two Tupolev Tu-134Bs, and two Ilyushin Il-76 cargo aircraft. However, parts shortages have sidelined six A320s and both A340s, limiting the airline’s full operational potential. These sanctions have contributed to a reduced network compared to pre-crisis years when the airline flew four routes across five international destinations.

Syria’s only other significant carrier, Cham Wings Airlines, operates five A320 aircraft serving two routes to three destinations, underscoring the limited domestic aviation landscape. This scarcity reflects the broader challenges for Syrian civil aviation infrastructure amid sanctions and regional instability. Despite these constraints, the resumption of key international routes signals an incremental restoration of air travel options for Syrian passengers and commerce.

Syrian aviation authorities have also noted a measurable increase in air traffic traversing Syrian airspace, with 20,315 aircraft movements recorded passing overhead in July 2026. This figure illustrates a gradual return of regional airspace activity, suggesting improving conditions for civil aviation operations. The increase in overflight volume may also indicate Syria’s growing role as a transit corridor amid evolving airspace management in the region.

The Damascus-Moscow flights not only reconnect two politically allied capitals but also serve a broader purpose within Syria’s ambitions to expand its airway networks. The government’s civil aviation leadership has outlined plans to launch additional direct routes, including several new European connections to be announced incrementally. These strategic expansions form part of a concerted push to reintegrate Syrian Airlines into global and regional aviation markets, despite operational headwinds.

Overall, the steady restoration of Syrian Airlines’ routes, including the Damascus-Moscow service, reflects incremental progress in overcoming longstanding disruptions. By reactivating critical air corridors, the airline and civil aviation authorities appear committed to rebuilding operational capacity and enhancing Syria’s connectivity at a time when other sectors remain constrained. This phased reopening mirrors broader ambitions to progressively rebuild Syria’s civil aviation infrastructure and presence after more than a decade of conflict and sanctions.