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1st flight from Damascus to Aleppo lands after Assad's fall

December 18, 2024 at 7:19 pm

The first passenger plane of Syrian Airlines, which took off from Damascus Airport, operational again after the fall of the Baath regime in Syria, landed at Aleppo Airport in Aleppo, Syria on December 18, 2024 [Mustafa Bathiş/Anadolu Agency]

Following the overthrow of the Baath regime in Syria, the first passenger flight from the reopened Damascus Airport successfully landed at Aleppo Airport, Anadolu Agency reports.

A Syrian Airlines passenger plane from Damascus Airport landed at Aleppo, marking the first flight between the two cities – the country’s largest – since the regime’s collapse.

Aleppo Airport Director, Mohammed Al-Masri, told Anadolu that necessary technical preparations had been completed, enabling the successful operation of the first flight from the capital, Damascus.

He also expressed optimism that Aleppo Airport would resume full operations soon.

Journalist Musa Al-Omar, who was among the passengers, shared his excitement about being on the flight from the capital to Aleppo.

“Both Damascus and Aleppo airports are 100 per cent ready. I am thrilled to be part of this flight and consider myself very fortunate,” Omar said.

“According to information from officials, Damascus Airport will soon be opened to international flights as well,” he added.

The Airport, which ceased flights after the regime’s collapse on 8 December, reopened after preparations were completed.

Bashar Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia after anti-regime groups took control of Damascus on 8 December, ending the Baath Party regime, which had been in power since 1963.

READ: Ousted Assad regime leaves Syria, economy in ruins