Saudi budget airline Flyadeal to begin flights to Syria by July

Move follows easing of Western sanctions and growing momentum among regional and international carriers to restore air connectivity with Syria

MANILA, Philippines (MNTV) — Saudi Arabia’s low-cost carrier Flyadeal is preparing to launch direct flights to Syria as early as July, the airline’s CEO Steven Greenway announced on Wednesday, marking another step in Syria’s growing reintegration into regional and global air networks.

“We got approvals last week to fly to Syria,” Greenway told Reuters during a press event in Manila, where the airline signed a lease agreement for two jets with Philippine budget airline Cebu Pacific. “We’re getting ready to hopefully launch that in July,” he added.

The move positions Flyadeal among a small but growing group of foreign airlines either resuming or initiating service to Syria, following the rollback of international sanctions that had restricted aviation and trade ties with the country for more than a decade.

Flights to and from Syria had largely ceased during its 14-year civil war. International air traffic was further disrupted after the ouster of former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, but services gradually resumed under Syria’s transitional government.

At present, airlines such as Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, and Royal Jordanian operate international flights to Syria alongside local carriers. UAE-based FlyDubai has also announced plans to restart service in June.

Last week, the United States under President Donald Trump officially lifted sanctions on Syria. 

The European Union followed suit, with EU foreign ministers agreeing to remove their economic sanctions as well.

The relaxation of sanctions is expected to facilitate increased commercial and diplomatic engagement with Syria, including the restoration of transportation links and the expansion of regional air routes.