Emirates Airlines has made headlines recently by resuming its operations in Damascus, the capital city of Syria, after a remarkable 13-year hiatus. This significant move reestablishes Damascus as one of the airline’s key Middle Eastern destinations, reflecting a renewed interest in the region and its potential for air travel.
The much-anticipated first flight, designated EK913, took off from Dubai International Airport (DXB) on July 16, 2025. Onboard were 286 passengers who were part of this historic journey. The flight landed at Damascus International Airport (DAM) around 14:30 local time, greeted by a dazzling water cannon salute that marked the event’s significance.
“The UAE and Syria have historically enjoyed strong bilateral ties, making Syria an important market for Emirates since our inaugural flights,” noted Adil Al Ghaith, Emirates’ Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations. His words underscored the importance of this resumption, not just for the airline, but also for the economic and social connections between the two nations.
Prominent Emirates officials were among those who traveled on EK913, actively participating in the ceremonial arrival upon landing. This illustrates the airline’s commitment to strengthening its presence in the region and its eagerness to reconnect with the Syrian market, which had not seen Emirates flights since 2012 due to the ongoing civil war and deteriorating security conditions.
The landing ceremony was attended by an esteemed VIP delegation, which included Syrian officials and members of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, among others. Representing the local media added a touch of importance to the event, emphasizing its significance beyond just transportation—highlighting a step towards normalization and revitalization of air travel in Syria.
Alaa Sallal, Director of Public Relations at the General Authority of Civil Aviation of Syria, praised the collaborative efforts involved in resuming air operations. He mentioned, “The teams from the Syrian Civil Aviation Authority and the United Arab Emirates worked tirelessly, with high-level coordination and a shared vision, to meet all requirements necessary to resume air operations.” This statement reflects the careful planning and cooperation that went into making this milestone possible.
Despite the joyful commencement of operations, Emirates has announced that daily passenger flights to Damascus will start on October 26, 2025. Initially, the service will operate three times a week—on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Sundays. The airline plans to ramp up operations, adding an additional Saturday flight starting August 2, 2025.
For these routes, Emirates will deploy its Boeing 777-200LR aircraft, known for their comfort and spacious interiors. These planes feature a configuration that includes 38 Business Class seats and 264 Economy Class seats, catering to different passenger preferences. Business Class passengers will enjoy a 2-2-2 seating arrangement, offering both comfort and accessibility.
Emirates first initiated flights to Damascus in 1988 and has since transported over 2.1 million passengers to and from Syria. The decision to suspend operations in 2012 was not taken lightly, but safety concerns due to the civil unrest dictated the need for caution. With this recent resumption, Emirates not only aims to reclaim its market share but also hopes to contribute to the revitalization of air travel in Syria amidst a landscape looking to stabilize and grow.
At present, Emirates continues to serve a total of 14 cities in the Middle East and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) regions, providing an impressive 194 weekly flights, reinforcing its role as a leading airline in the area.
