Emirates announced the resumption of its flights to Damascus, Syria, from next July 16, after it had suspended operations to the Syrian capital in 2012. The decision follows a comprehensive assessment in coordination with the General Civil Aviation Authority of the United Arab Emirates.
Emirates will initially operate 3 weekly flights, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays, with plans to increase the number of flights to 4 per week from August 2 by adding a Saturday flight, and the airline will expand its service to the Syrian capital to a daily flight from next October 26, according to a post on the Emirates website.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, explained that the resumption of Emirates operations to Damascus represents a strategic step supporting the recovery and reconstruction phase in Syria by providing more travel options and air connectivity, which is a key pillar for stimulating economic activity, attracting investment and opening new channels for trade and access to global markets.
He added that this direct connection not only serves development goals, but also forms a bridge linking members of the Syrian community in the Americas, Europe and the Gulf states with their homeland, enabling them to contribute their expertise and capabilities to supporting Syria's revival.
Emirates will operate the flights with a Boeing 777-200LR aircraft with 302 seats. Flight "EK 913" will depart Dubai at 12:00 noon and arrive at Damascus International Airport at 14:10 local time, while the return flight "EK 914" will depart Damascus at 16:30 and arrive in Dubai at 20:30 local time.
These flights will give travelers new opportunities to explore Emirates destinations covering nearly 150 cities around the world, enhancing travel options and reflecting the continued expansion of the airline's network in the region.
Emirates customers traveling to and from Damascus will benefit from the codeshare partnership with flydubai, providing wider options and greater convenience when traveling to and from the Syrian capital.
The Syrian community in the UAE, which numbers more than 350,000 people, is a key segment of the travelers expected to benefit from the new flights between the two countries, and these flights are also expected to help boost trade and tourism exchange.
The Boeing 777-200LR aircraft to be operated on the Damascus route offers 38 seats in Business Class along with 264 seats in Economy Class, with Business Class seats in a 2-2-2 configuration.
It is worth noting that Emirates began operating flights to Damascus in 1988, and before suspending its operations in 2012 it carried more than 2.1 million passengers to and from Syria. The airline currently operates flights to 13 cities in the Middle East and GCC countries, with a total of 191 weekly flights.
To view the post on the Emirates website, click here.
