Jordan resumes flights to Syria following Assad regime's ouster

Royal Jordanian Airlines has resumed flights to Syria after a 13-year hiatus, marking the latest move by international carriers to reconnect with Damascus following the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad in December.

The flag carrier's inaugural flight from Amman to Damascus took place on January 31, signaling a significant step in the gradual normalization of air travel to Syria, Caliber.Az reports citing Arab media.

Initially, Royal Jordanian will operate four flights a week between Queen Alia International Airport in Amman and Damascus International Airport. According to the airline’s CEO, Samer Al-Majali, the frequency of flights is expected to increase to one per day starting in April, reflecting anticipated demand as stability returns to the region.

International flights from Damascus resumed on January 7, nearly a month after the fall of Assad’s regime to an Islamist-led alliance. For over a decade, Syria's civil war—sparked by Assad's violent crackdown on pro-democracy protests—had severely disrupted air travel, with few international carriers willing to operate in and out of the country.

In recent months, however, several major airlines have resumed flights to Syria, signaling a shift in the geopolitical landscape. Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, and Emirates are among those that have restarted services to the Syrian capital, following the restoration of some degree of stability in the region.

Royal Jordanian's return to Damascus is part of a broader trend of regional carriers gradually re-establishing connections with Syria, as the international community adjusts to the evolving political and security situation in the country.

By Vafa Guliyeva