Syrianair (RB, Damascus) and Cham Wings Airlines (SAW, Damascus) restarted scheduled international operations on January 7, 2025, each operating a flight from Damascus to Sharjah. The latter carrier also operated a domestic flight on the same day.
A320-200 YK-AKG (msn 1402), one of only two aircraft of the type that Syrianair recently had in service, had previously been parked at Damascus since December 7, 2024. The flight to Sharjah was the first passenger flight out of the Syrian capital since the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad's government in early December. On January 8, the aircraft was deployed to Doha Hamad International, Flightradar24 ADS-B data shows.
Sistership YK-AKH (msn 1416), which was used to trial the domestic Damascus-Aleppo route on December 18, remains parked for the time being. Six remaining A320-200s and both A340-300s operated by the airline remain inactive.
Meanwhile, privately owned Cham Wings Airlines departed to Sharjah a few hours later, using A320-200 YK-BAA (msn 2434), while YK-BAE (msn 322) operated an evening rotation to Aleppo and back. The remaining three A320s in the airline's fleet are still inactive.
The Syrian carriers are two of three airlines that are currently operating scheduled flights out of Damascus. Qatar Airways debuted its service from Doha on January 7, restoring its link to Syria after 13 years. The airline deployed an A330-200, A7-ACM (msn 849), on the first flight.
Turkish Airlines previously signalled an intention to return to Damascus and Aleppo shortly but has yet to confirm the relaunch date.
