Filenews 8 August 2025
Syria plans to revive its struggling aviation industry by buying new aircraft from Airbus SE and rebuilding Damascus' main international airport as the country gradually reopens after years of civil war.
The government has signed an initial $250 million financing agreement to purchase up to 10 Airbus A320 aircraft on behalf of Syrian Airlines, the national carrier, according to a statement from Qatar-based UCC Holding. Companies from the USA, Qatar and Turkey participate in the scheme.
According to UCC, among the participating companies are TAV (Turkish airport operator) and Assets Investments USA, based in New York. The total investment plan reaches €4 billion most of which will be allocated to the expansion and complete reconstruction of Damascus International Airport.
As the U.S. ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barak, said, the future of a prosperous and peaceful Syria depends on cooperation with regional partners, such as Qatar's UCC and Turkey's Cengiz and Kalyon, which won the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) concession for the new airport.
If finalized, the agreement will substantially strengthen the country's infrastructure destroyed by the war. Already, international airlines such as Emirates and Turkish Airlines have resumed flights to Damascus, where infrastructure is in urgent need of upgrade.
Syrian Airlines currently has 12 aircraft, mainly Airbus A320 and A340, although most remain out of service, according to the Planespotters platform. Along with Cham Wings, the state-owned carrier was under harsh sanctions from the US and EU, with bans on flights and the supply of spare parts.
The airport project follows multi-billion dollar deals with countries in the region, such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, for tourist hotels, road projects and power stations, giving a boost to the government of interim President Ahmet Al-Saraa.
Syria is looking forward to a total investment of €6 billion, according to statements by ministers.
The civil war that began in 2011 culminated in the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in December. The war left millions displaced and much of the country in ruins.
