Flights to Syria return, will...

Turkish Airlines is latest to resume flights to Damascus following fall of Assad regime

With international airlines resuming flights to Syria, attention now turns to its once thriving tourism sector.

Turkish Airlines will resume flights to Syria for the first time in 13 years from 23 January 2025, with three weekly flights between Istanbul and Damascus.

Royal Jordanian will be the next flag carrier to resume flights from 31 January 2025, with flights from Amman to Damascus scheduled to increase to daily operations from April.

This follows Qatar Airways being the first major international airline to resume flights to Syria on 7 January 2025, operating three direct weekly flights between Doha and Damascus, as well as Syrian Air flying to Sharjah in the UAE on that same day.

Now tour companies, encouraged by the resumption of flights, are considering the tourism potential of a country that used to attract almost 11 million visitors, back in 2010, lured by its rich history, diverse landscapes and culture.

Adventure tour company Untamed Borders is advertising tours of Syria in April and September 2025, with highlights including Damascus, the Crusader Fort of Krak des Chevaliers and the ancient city of Palmyra, a UNESCO World Heritage site, as well as Aleppo with its historic citadel. Tours start and finish in Beirut.

Founder James Wilcox says if the country continues to move forward with a stable trajectory and travel advisories are eased, he expects a significant increase in tourism.

Young Pioneer Tours, specialists in off-the-beaten-track destinations, are also resuming trips to Syria from May 2025.

It remains to be seen if these tours will go ahead. Although the security situation in Syria is evolving, many hope the resumption of tourism can help support the economy and rebuild the domestic hospitality industry.

For more information, visit www.turkishairlines.com