Syria Reopens Air Routes to Mediterranean as Regional Flight Disruptions Continue

Syrian aviation officials have reactivated flight corridors connecting Aleppo to the Mediterranean Sea, opening them to international airlines. The move comes as major Middle Eastern airports remain largely shut down due to ongoing regional conflicts involving U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran.

Syrian aviation authorities announced Thursday the reopening of flight corridors linking the northern city of Aleppo to Mediterranean destinations, making these routes available to international carriers amid widespread regional air traffic disruptions.

Omar Hosari, who leads Syria’s Civil Aviation Authority, explained to Reuters that the newly activated pathway will provide secure flight operations for aircraft using Aleppo International Airport. Any carrier meeting established international safety requirements can utilize these routes.

“The corridors are not dedicated exclusively to Syrian Air,” Hosari stated. “Other airlines can use them to transit or operate through Syrian airspace according to the usual regulatory procedures.”

Aviation officials also confirmed Thursday that northern Syrian airspace routes toward Turkey have been restored following comprehensive operational and technical evaluations, taking into account recent regional developments impacting air travel.

The first Syrian Air departure from Aleppo to Istanbul completed its journey successfully on Thursday, signaling the gradual restoration of airport operations. Officials have scheduled an Aleppo-to-Jeddah flight for Friday and are considering additional routes to destinations like Riyadh.

Royal Jordanian is anticipated to utilize the Mediterranean corridor Friday for service between Amman and Aleppo as part of the staged return of commercial aviation to the region.

Across much of the Middle East, commercial aviation has remained severely limited, with major Gulf aviation centers including Doha and Dubai – the world’s leading international passenger hub – continuing closures for six consecutive days following U.S.-Israeli military action against Iran and subsequent Iranian retaliation involving missiles and drones throughout the region.

As regional tensions enter their second week, Syria finds itself in a relatively peripheral position, with Iranian military presence eliminated following President Bashar al-Assad’s removal in late 2024, and U.S. military installations in the country evacuated this past February.