First EU flight to Syria in 14 years lands in Damascus

The first direct flight from the European Union to Syria in over a decade took off from Romania on Sunday, marking a significant moment in Syria's gradual reintegration into global air travel.

Romanian airline Dan Air departed from Bucharest to Damascus, making it the first EU-based carrier to land in Syria since the suspension of commercial flights following the outbreak of the civil war in 2011.

According to Syria's state-run SANA news agency, the airline held a reception at Bucharest Airport's VIP lounge to mark the occasion. The event was attended by Syrian Minister of Economy and Industry Nidal al-Shaar, along with Romanian and Syrian diplomats, including both countries’ ambassadors.

"We congratulate all Syrians for this event and hope other airlines will soon resume flights to Damascus and Aleppo," the Syrian embassy said in a statement.

Dan Air said the move was not just about aviation, but about "reconnecting Syrian families, supporting businesses, and strengthening the deep historical ties between Romania and Syria".

The airline had announced in May that it would begin flights to Syria from Bucharest, Frankfurt, Berlin, and Stockholm, after receiving a license from Romania’s Ministry of Transport. The Syrian government approved the route in April.

CEO Ian David said the decision was based on Syria's need for connectivity.

"We’re proud to operate these routes under strict international safety and security standards," he said. "Aviation should connect, not isolate."

Syria was largely cut off from international air routes after President Bashar al-Assad’s violent crackdown on peaceful protests in 2011. The uprising escalated into a prolonged and devastating civil war, leading to widespread diplomatic and economic isolation.

That changed in December 2024, when opposition forces toppled Assad in a surprise offensive. A transitional government led by President Ahmed al-Sahraa has since taken power and is overseeing a period of political and economic reconstruction.

While EU carriers had suspended all operations to Syria for more than a decade, regional airlines have started returning in recent months. Carriers from Qatar, Turkey, Jordan, and the UAE have resumed flights to Damascus since January.

SunExpress, a joint venture between Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines, has also signalled interest in restarting routes. In April, the company described Syria as a "promising growth opportunity" and said it would consider operating there once safety conditions are met.

Germany is home to one of the largest Syrian communities in Europe, many of whom arrived during the 2015 refugee crisis. The resumption of EU-Syria flights is expected to ease family reunification and support diaspora engagement with the country's rebuilding process.