Syria Plans to Buy Eight Airbus Aircraft as Macron Visits to Support Reconstruction
During a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron, the Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa has said the country plans to order eight Airbus aircraft. On July 6, 2026, President al-Sharaa told French news station BFMTV about the potential order, indicating that the eight Airbus aircraft will be delivered quickly. There was no mention of the type of aircraft. President Macron is leading a delegation of investors and representatives of French companies to help rebuild Syria's infrastructure following the civil war. "We are building state institutions in Syria and establishing numerous partnerships, including in the aviation sector, as well as tourism, agriculture and industry," President al-Sharaa said. "France will contribute to infrastructure, industry, the financial sector and institutional restructuring, and there are many sectors in which it can play a role." Syrian Airlines, or SyriaAir, is owned by the Syrian government and is set to benefit from Qatari investment to expand operations. Syrian Government December 2024, saw the return of flight operations from Damascus International Airport (DAM) following the overthrowing of the country's former President Bashar al-Assad. Since then, airlines including Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Etihad and flynas have restarted operations to Syria. According to the Qatari Civil Aviation Authority, Damascus International Airport surpassed 148,000 passengers in May 2026 and 12 airlines are now operating to and from Syria. In February 2025, the European Union suspended several restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria, allowing for Airbus contracts and flight operations to Europe. At the time the EU said it "aims to facilitate engagement with Syria, its people, and businesses, in key areas of energy and transport". RELATED Saudia orders more Boeing 777-200 freighters for its cargo division