Turkish Airlines to Resume Flights to Damascus
Turkish Airlines has announced that it will be resuming flights to the capital of Syria, Damascus, on January 23, marking the end of a 14-year suspension of services.
Bilal Ekşi's Social Media Announcement
The announcement was made by Turkish Airlines General Manager Bilal Ekşi through his social media account, where he shared the news with the public.
Return to Damascus
Referencing the words of the late poet Sezai Karakoç, who famously described Damascus as a place familiar to him for centuries, Ekşi expressed the airline's decision to return to the historical city.
Flight Schedule Details
According to Ekşi, the flights to Damascus will recommence on Thursday, January 23, with the airline operating three flights per week to the Syrian capital.
Concurrent Events
The announcement coincided with the visit of Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, signaling a potential warming of relations between the two countries.
Resumption After Civil War
Turkish Airlines had suspended all flights to Syria in 2011 following the onset of the civil war, and this decision marks a significant step towards normalizing air travel between the two nations.
Assistance to Syria
Turkey has also pledged to assist Syria in the reconstruction of its infrastructure, including airports, bridges, roads, and railways, as part of an effort to support its neighbor in rebuilding after years of conflict. Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu emphasized Turkey's commitment to aiding Syria in restoring its vital infrastructure.
