Qatar Airways has announced it will resume commercial flights to Damascus, Syria, beginning 7 January.
The airline will operate three weekly flights from its hub in Doha to Syria’s capital, providing passengers with access to the airline's global network of more than 170 destinations.
Qatar Airways said it "is working closely with relevant authorities to ensure that all necessary safety, security, and operational standards are met ahead of the relaunch."
The airline’s Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, hailed the move as a milestone to connect the Gulf with the historical and cultural destination.
He reiterated the airline’s commitment to connecting the region, while also responding to the growing demand for travel to Syria.
Al-Meer, said: "We are pleased to resume flights to Damascus, a destination of great historical and cultural importance. This announcement underscores our dedication to fostering connectivity and facilitating travel for our passengers."
The move comes after the recent resumption of operations at Damascus International Airport, which had been closed for several months after significant damage caused by the war and the toppling of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad by rebel groups.
In early December, a flight from Damascus to Aleppo marked the first commercial operation since Assad was ousted from power. The first flight, operated by Syrian Air, carried journalists and other passengers.
Pro-Assad forces abandoned the airport on 8 December as the rebel offensive, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham advanced. Since then, no flights had taken off or landed amid security concerns.
Despite its reopening, the airport’s facilities are still recovering from extensive damage, including to runways and key infrastructure, often targeted in Israeli airstrikes.
Ahmed Al-Sharaa’s new interim government has been seeking to restore its diplomatic and economic ties with the outside world following Assad's exile.
Meanwhile, the government has also been taking steps to facilitate the return of expatriates.
Recently, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani announced plans to extend the validity of passports for citizens living abroad, alongside efforts to reduce renewal fees.
These measures come as part of an ongoing effort to ease bureaucratic obstacles for Syrians in the diaspora who have been caught in a long-standing system of inefficiency and corruption under the former regime.
As part of its initiative to rebuild ties with the diaspora, the interim government has also vowed to boost consular services and address complaints that have plagued Syrian nationals living abroad for years.
Many Syrians left the country during the brutal crackdown by the Assad regime, and their return has been slow due to political and economic instability.