Moscow-Damascus Flights Resume Amid New Russia-Syria Agreement

On Sunday, August 16, a Syrian Airlines jet landed at Damascus International Airport, marking the first civilian flight from Moscow since the collapse of the former Assad regime. The weekly service departs Damascus at 02:20 a.m. local time and arrives at Sheremetyevo at 07:00 a.m. Moscow time; the return leaves Moscow at 08:40 a.m. and lands in Damascus at 13:00 p.m. local time. Economy seats cost about US $490, business class about US $870.

Direct Damascus-Moscow Flights Resume The Jerusalem PostRussian diplomat says resumed Moscow-Damascus flights will boost bilateral ties

Russia has backed the Syrian government since 2012 and intervened militarily in 2015. After the Idlib offensive in November 2024, a new Syrian leadership sought to normalize ties with Moscow. Under the latest agreement, Syria will assume civilian control of the Hmeimim air base and the commercial berth at Tartus port, while the military facilities become “joint training” centers, according to the Syrian Foreign Ministry.

The Jerusalem PostRussian diplomat says resumed Moscow-Damascus flights will boost bilateral ties

• Omar Hosari, director general of Syria’s Civil Aviation Authority, said the route is part of a broader effort to rebuild Syrian Airlines’ regional and international presence and to “reconnect Syria with the world.”

The Jerusalem PostBerlin-Damascus flights resume after nearly 14-year interruption

• Flight schedule: Damascus -> Moscow (02:20 a.m. -> 07:00 a.m.); Moscow -> Damascus (08:40 a.m. -> 13:00 p.m.).

Direct Damascus-Moscow Flights Resume

• Ticket pricing: US $490 (economy), US $870 (business).

Direct Damascus-Moscow Flights Resume

• Bilateral trade: Russia exports roughly US $234 million of goods to Syria annually, including seed oils, wood and industrial products.

Direct Damascus-Moscow Flights Resume

• “Thousands” of Syrian students are studying in Russia, according to the Russian diplomatic mission.

Russian diplomat says resumed Moscow-Damascus flights will boost bilateral ties

The restored air link helps Syria rebuild its aviation network after more than a year of suspension. Direct routes to a major power lower transportation barriers for students and business delegations and support economic reconstruction. The accompanying base agreement expands cooperation beyond pure military ties.

Berlin-Damascus flights resume after nearly 14-year interruption

• December 2024 – Direct Moscow-Damascus service suspended.

Direct Damascus-Moscow Flights Resume

• August 16, 2024 – Weekly passenger flights resume.

Berlin-Damascus flights resume after nearly 14-year interruption

• September 1, 2024 (scheduled) – Syria plans direct flights from Cologne to Deir Ezzor.

Berlin-Damascus flights resume after nearly 14-year interruption

Syria and Russia will finalize operational details of the joint training centers at Hmeimim and Tartus in the coming months. Expansion of Syrian Airlines’ network to additional European destinations is planned, aligning with the government’s goal of “reconnecting Syria with the world.”

The Jerusalem Post