Emirates Airline has officially resumed passenger services to Damascus, Syria, marking its return to the “City of Jasmine” after a 12-year hiatus. Flight EK913 touched down at Damascus International Airport on Monday afternoon, welcomed with a traditional water cannon salute and a high-profile reception ceremony.
The Boeing 777-200LR aircraft, carrying 286 passengers, was met by a UAE delegation led by H.E. Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports and Chairman of the UAE Space Agency. The delegation included senior Emirates executives and officials from UAE civil aviation and security bodies. Syrian aviation and airport authorities were also present to commemorate the event.
The return of Emirates to Damascus is seen as a significant move in restoring connectivity between the UAE and Syria. “Today marks a significant milestone,” said Adil Al Ghaith, Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations at Emirates. “By connecting Damascus to nearly 150 destinations, we hope to support Syria’s recovery and reconnect families and businesses.”
Operations to the Syrian capital had been suspended in 2012 due to the ongoing conflict. Before the suspension, Emirates had served over 2.1 million passengers on the route since launching flights in 1988.
Initially, Emirates will operate three weekly flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Sundays, with plans to increase frequency to four weekly in August and daily service from late October 2025. Customers will also benefit from Emirates’ codeshare agreement with flydubai for greater network flexibility.
The relaunch event featured a cake-cutting ceremony and gift exchange, celebrating what both Emirati and Syrian officials described as a “renewed era of cooperation.” Alaa Sallal, Director of PR at Syria’s General Authority of Civil Aviation, stated, “This reinstatement reflects the strength of coordination and mutual commitment between both countries.”
The Damascus-bound Emirates service features 38 Business Class seats and 264 in Economy, offering a full-service experience. Business Class follows a 2-2-2 seating configuration. Onboard, passengers will enjoy regionally inspired dining, including Emirates’ renowned mezze prepared with ingredients sourced from Syria—such as tahini, red pepper paste, and olive oil.
Entertainment options are also tailored for Arabic-speaking travellers. The inflight ICE system includes over 650 Arabic channels, with 41 popular Syrian dramas, 380 Arabic films, and dozens of podcasts and audiobooks.
The airline reaffirmed its long-term commitment to the region. Emirates currently serves 14 cities in the Middle East and GCC, operating 194 weekly flights. The return to Damascus is viewed as both a strategic and symbolic milestone in regional air connectivity and economic restoration.
Tickets for the Damascus route are now available via emirates.com, the Emirates app, contact centres, and travel agents.
