After years of limited operation due to the ongoing civil war and international sanctions, Damascus International Airport is set to resume regular international flights next week, according to reports from Al Jazeera.
For years, the airport has primarily handled domestic flights and limited international routes, mostly to and from countries allied with the Syrian government like Iran and Russia. The resumption of a wider range of international flights suggests a push by the Syrian government to reintegrate into the global community and potentially attract much-needed investment and tourism.
However, the impact of this move remains to be seen. While Qatar Airways is also planning to begin flights to Damascus after 13 years, many international airlines may still be hesitant to resume services to Damascus due to ongoing safety concerns and potential legal complications arising from the sanctions regime still in place against Syria. Furthermore, the economic devastation wrought by years of conflict presents a significant challenge to rebuilding the country’s infrastructure and tourism sector.
The resumption of international flights represents a symbolic step towards normalization for Syria. But the road to full recovery remains long and arduous, fraught with political and economic uncertainties. The international community’s response and the Syrian government’s next steps will be crucial in determining whether this move marks a genuine turning point or a fleeting moment of progress.
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