Qatar Airways Resumes Damascus Flights Following Assad’s Fall
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Editor
- . January 4, 2025
- . Update: January 4, 2025 8:29 pm
Qatar Airways declared on Thursday its intention to resume flights to Damascus, Syria. This is after the new regime was overthrown. The service is planned to start from January 7, 2025, it will initially run three rotational flights weekly, restoring the link between the two nations after a gap of approximately 13 years.
The announcement comes as Qatar builds itself up as a major stakeholder in Syria’s future once the current regime is toppled. CEO Badr Mohammed Al-Meer cited history and culture of the city of Damascus in his statement, while the airline was equally keen to mention that all safety and operating requirements would be in place when the flights are resumed. After Assad demise on December 8, Qatar that was actively supporting the Syrian opposition became the second country after Turkey to reopen its embassy in Damascus.
The resumption of flights is a wider regional shift, while Qatar provide technical support for the reconstruction of Damascus airport. It also benefited from its constant criticism of Assad’s regime until its overthrow, unlike other Arab states that normalized relations with Assad’s regime last year, Qatar pursued a clear policy in favor of the Syrian people’s democratic transition.
