Damascus airport reopens following Assad's ouster

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19 December, 2024


The first flight since the ousting of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad took off on Wednesday, marking a significant milestone in the country’s transition. The Syrian Airplane carried 43 passengers, including journalists, on its journey from Damascus to Aleppo. Assad fled Syria following a rapid rebel offensive that began on November 27, with opposition forces capturing city after city. On December 8, his forces abandoned Damascus airport, which has remained inactive until now. In preparation for the reopening, airport staff earlier this week repainted planes with the three-star independence flag, a symbol of the 2011 uprising now adopted by the transitional authorities. The flag has also replaced Assad-era symbols inside the terminal. An airport official, speaking anonymously, revealed that international flights are scheduled to resume on December 24 after essential maintenance is completed. Of Syrian Air’s fleet of 12 planes, only two Airbus 320s are operational, as international sanctions have limited access to spare parts.