The Media Line: Syrian Airlines Resumes Direct Damascus-Berlin Flights After Nearly 14 Years  

Syrian Airlines Resumes Direct Damascus-Berlin Flights After Nearly 14 Years  

By Rizik Alabi / The Media Line  

[DAMASCUS] Syrian Airlines has resumed direct flights between Damascus and Berlin after a nearly 14-year suspension, marking the national carrier’s return to the German capital and providing an additional travel option for Syrians living in Germany as Damascus seeks to expand its international flight network and restore air connections with European cities.  

The first Syrian Airlines flight from Berlin Brandenburg Airport arrived at Damascus International Airport on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, marking the launch of regular service between the two capitals after years of suspended operations to Germany due to the Syrian war and restrictions affecting the country’s aviation sector.  

Mustafa Khairallah, head of the Media Department at Syria’s Civil Aviation Authority, told The Media Line that Syrian Airlines will operate two weekly flights, on Tuesdays and Fridays, using an Airbus A320 aircraft with a capacity of 156 passengers. The direct flight from Berlin to Damascus takes approximately four hours and 15 minutes.  

He added that the launch of the route follows an air transport agreement concluded between Germany and Syria in mid-July, according to Berlin Brandenburg Airport management, which said the new flights would provide additional travel options for people with family, cultural, or business ties to Syria.  

Khairallah noted that the resumption of flights by Syria’s national carrier to Berlin is particularly significant for Syrians living in Germany, many of whom have had to rely on connecting flights to reach Syria in recent years, requiring transit through other airports and increasing travel times.  

The new route is expected to provide an additional option for travelers wishing to visit their families or attend to personal and business matters in Syria. However, its impact on ticket prices and travel convenience will depend on actual fares, passenger demand, and the reliability of scheduled services.  

The launch of the new route does not represent the first resumption of direct flights between Berlin and Damascus since the outbreak of the war. Two German airlines had already restored direct air connections between Germany and Syria earlier in 2026.  

LEAV Aviation began operating flights between Düsseldorf and Damascus in July, while Sundair launched direct flights between Berlin and Damascus in August. Syrian Airlines’ return therefore represents a further development in air connectivity between the two countries rather than the initial restoration of direct service.  

Omar Hosari, head of Syria’s General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport, said in press statements that the resumption of flights to Berlin represents an important step in the national carrier’s return to European airspace and the expansion of its international network.  

Hosari added that the authority is working to develop the operational and regulatory frameworks of the civil aviation sector and improve the readiness and services of Syrian airports, with the aim of strengthening air connectivity between Syria and the rest of the world.  

Expanded direct flight options could facilitate family visits and short trips, but they do not necessarily translate into higher rates of permanent return. Decisions about returning to Syria also depend on other factors, including security and living conditions, housing availability, employment opportunities, and access to essential services.  

Further operational and commercial data will be needed to determine how competition among airlines flying between Syria and Germany affects ticket prices and passenger demand.   

As Damascus seeks to reestablish its presence in international aviation, the consistency of flight operations and passenger demand in the coming weeks will serve as a practical test of the national carrier’s ability to consolidate its return to the European market.