UAE-Syria travel: Emirates announces to resume Dubai-Damascus flights
Tri-weekly operations to grow to daily flights by late October
DUBAI: Emirates is set to relaunch passenger services to Damascus starting 16 July 2025, marking a significant step in re-establishing air connectivity with Syria after a 12-year suspension.
The airline halted flights to the Syrian capital in 2012 due to the country’s civil war. The resumption follows a thorough evaluation conducted in coordination with the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority.
Initially, Emirates will operate three weekly flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Sundays. From 2 August, a Saturday flight will be added, increasing operations to four times a week. The airline plans to expand to daily services by 26 October, subject to government approvals.
Emirates flights to Syria
The Dubai-Damascus service will be operated using a Boeing 777-200LR aircraft, configured with 38 Business Class and 264 Economy Class seats. Flight EK 913 will depart Dubai at 12:00 and land in Damascus at 14:10 local time. The return flight, EK 914, will leave Damascus at 16:30 and arrive in Dubai at 20:30.
These flights are designed to enhance travel options for passengers within Emirates’ global network of nearly 150 destinations. The service also aligns with broader UAE objectives to support Syria’s economic recovery, particularly in sectors such as energy, agriculture, and construction.
Who will benefit from the route?
The reinstated service is expected to facilitate stronger links for the large Syrian diaspora in the GCC, Europe, and the Americas. Emirates Chairman and Chief Executive, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, said: “Emirates is pleased to restart operations to Damascus and support Syria’s road ahead by providing better choice and connectivity, essential economic links for inwards investment as well as opening new trade lanes and global market access for the country.”
The new route will be complemented by Emirates’ codeshare partnership with flydubai, offering passengers greater flexibility and connectivity.
UAE-Syria ties
The relaunch comes at a time when UAE-Syria relations continue to strengthen. In 2024, bilateral trade between the two nations reached $680 million (Dh 2.5 billion), a 23% rise from the previous year, according to the UAE Ministry of Economy. The UAE is home to over 350,000 Syrians, many of whom have played a vital role in the country’s social and economic fabric through entrepreneurship and skilled labour.
Emirates had originally launched services to Damascus in 1988. Before suspending operations in 2012, the airline had carried more than 2.1 million passengers on the route. With the addition of Damascus, Emirates will be serving 14 cities in the Middle East and GCC, totalling 194 weekly flights across the region.
What can passengers expect onboard?
Passengers travelling on the Emirates service to Damascus can expect a superior onboard experience. Business Class will feature a 2-2-2 configuration, and all passengers will have access to Emirates’ award-winning inflight entertainment system, ice. With up to 6,500 channels of content, including 650 in Arabic, travellers can enjoy a variety of movies, music, games, podcasts, and more. The onboard menu will include Levantine-inspired cuisine and a selection of premium beverages.
flydubai returns to Syria
Meanwhile, flydubai resumed its own services to Damascus on 1 June, marking its first flight to Syria in over a decade. Flight FZ 115 took off from Dubai International Airport’s Terminal 2 at 06:30 and landed at Damascus International Airport at 08:45 local time. The return flight, FZ 116, departed Damascus at 10:00 and arrived in Dubai at 14:20.
This historic flight reconnects the two cities after a 12-year pause. Damascus was one of flydubai’s original destinations nearly 16 years ago.
Passengers on the inaugural flight were welcomed by UAE Ambassador to Syria, Hassan Al Shehhi, and Deputy Chairman of the Syrian Civil Aviation Authority, Abdul Bari Al Saj.
The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that direct services to Damascus were cleared following security and operational assessments. The decision follows a diplomatic visit by Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara to the UAE, during which he met President Sheikh Mohamed.
Flydubai CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith highlighted that the relaunch was timed with the summer travel surge and Eid Al Adha holiday. “Damascus holds a special cultural and historical significance within the region,” he said.
Jeyhun Efendi, flydubai’s divisional senior vice president of commercial operations, confirmed that the airline is operating the route with both Business and Economy class offerings, ensuring accessibility across its global network.