The first Turkish Airlines flight in 13 years touched down in Damascus International Airport on January 23, 2025. The passenger plane coming in from Istanbul was carrying 345 passengers, including Bilal Eksi, the CEO of Turkish Airlines, and officials from Turkey. This is one of the very major events as commercial flights begin anew between Turkey and Syria after a long hiatus during the Syrian civil war.
The aircraft also brought much-needed aid, provided by the Turkish Red Crescent, to support those affected by the ongoing crisis in Syria. Syrian state media reported that the flight included Syrian passengers, highlighting the importance of reconnecting the two nations. Turkey’s decision to resume flights comes as part of its broader efforts to support Syria’s new authorities and invest in the country’s economy.
Qatar Airways had already resumed flights to Damascus earlier this month, and Syrian Airlines also resumed international commercial flights to Sharjah in the UAE. Turkish Airlines’ decision is likely to further open up diplomatic and economic channels between the two countries, paving the way for recovery and stability.
