Flydubai is set to resume its flights to Damascus starting June 1, marking the first UAE-based airline to reestablish service to the Syrian capital since operations were suspended over 12 years ago.
This development follows regulatory approval earlier this year from the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority.
Syrian airspace has reopened to commercial flights, and the new daily service will operate from Terminal 2 at Dubai International Airport to Damascus International Airport. This route is particularly meaningful for flydubai, as it was among the airline’s earliest destinations when flights to Damascus began in 2009.
The resumption of flights aligns with a broader regional reopening of Syrian airspace, as Syrian Air reinstated flights to Dubai and Sharjah in April, and Turkish Airlines resumed services to Damascus in January with three weekly flights from Istanbul.
The revival also coincides with the upcoming Eid Al Adha holiday, which is expected to provide a significant boost for the UAE’s sizable Syrian diaspora and could open up new opportunities for business, tourism, and remittances.
Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of flydubai, expressed enthusiasm: “We are proud to be the first national carrier to resume flights to Syria after a 12-year hiatus. Damascus has deep cultural and historical importance in the region, and we’re excited to serve the city again with a direct daily flight.”
Jeyhun Efendi, flydubai’s Divisional Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations and E-commerce, added, “After working closely with relevant authorities to ensure all operational standards are met, we look forward to welcoming passengers back onboard soon.”
The flight, FZ 115, will depart Dubai at 06:30, arriving in Damascus at 08:45. The return flight, FZ 116, will leave Damascus at 10:00 and arrive back in Dubai at 14:20.
