Syria's national airline restarted regular flights to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, marking the end of a 12-year hiatus with the arrival of the first flight in Riyadh. This development, publicized by Syrian Airlines and verified by Syria's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, signifies a gradual reconciliation between the two nations, who re-established diplomatic ties last year. Ambassador Ayman Soussan confirmed that a Syrian Airlines flight with 170 passengers landed in Riyadh, indicating the restoration of regular service. He noted that both governments have consented to operate one weekly round-trip flight between Riyadh and Damascus, a route suspended due to Syria's civil war. Suleiman Khalil, a Syrian transport ministry official, suggested that the service could be extended to include airports in Jeddah and Dammam, contingent on demand. Flights between the two countries were discontinued in 2012 when Riyadh cut diplomatic relations with Damascus. However, they resumed temporarily in May for pilgrims attending the annual hajj in Mecca and Medina. Saudi Arabia appointed a new ambassador to Damascus in May, over a year after re-establishing ties. In May 2023, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad attended his first Arab summit in 13 years in Saudi Arabia, strengthening relations with Riyadh and symbolizing Syria's reintegration into the regional community.
![Syria Resumes Regular Flights to Saudi Arabia After 12-Year Break Syria Resumes Regular Flights to Saudi Arabia After 12-Year Break](https://world-arabia.com/storage/images/news/crops/news-promo/Q69pqmWlBE1rKMeemPaHL9yGmOYuK4E67zxlZu2e.webp)
Text: Lara Palmer
10.07.2024
The first flight lands in Riyadh as diplomatic ties between Syria and Saudi Arabia continue to mend.