Syria’s national airline has resumed regular services to Saudi Arabia following a 12-year suspension, marking a significant milestone in the diplomatic thaw between the two nations. The first flight, operated by Syrian Airlines, arrived in Riyadh on Wednesday amidst cautious optimism.
Ambassador Ayman Soussan, Syria’s envoy to Saudi Arabia, confirmed the resumption of flights, emphasizing the importance of this step in rebuilding bilateral relations. The inaugural flight, carrying 170 passengers, landed in Riyadh, signaling the restart of scheduled air travel between the two capitals.
Under the agreement, both governments have committed to operating one round-trip flight per week between Riyadh and Damascus, initially. This initiative comes after years of disrupted air connectivity due to Syria’s prolonged civil war.
According to Syrian transport ministry official Suleiman Khalil, plans are underway to potentially extend the direct route to include Jeddah and Dammam in Saudi Arabia, contingent upon passenger demand and logistical considerations.
The suspension of flights between Syria and Saudi Arabia dates back to 2012, following Riyadh’s decision to sever diplomatic ties with Damascus in response to President Bashar Assad’s handling of anti-government protests. The recent resumption of services began as a temporary measure in May, facilitating pilgrimages for Muslims participating in the annual hajj to Mecca and Medina.
Despite Saudi Arabia’s advocacy for re-establishing diplomatic relations with Assad’s government, progress towards full normalization has been gradual. Saudi Arabia appointed a new ambassador to Damascus only in May, more than a year after both countries formally restored diplomatic ties.
In a notable development last year, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad attended his first Arab summit in 13 years hosted by Saudi Arabia, symbolizing a significant shift towards regional reconciliation and Syria’s reintegration into Arab diplomatic circles.
The resumption of regular flights between Riyadh and Damascus underscores efforts towards normalization and broader regional stability, marking a step forward in diplomatic relations between Syria and Saudi Arabia.
