Qatar Airways has resumed flights to Syria after cancelling operations 13-years-ago, with weekly flights to Doha and Damascus — encouraging tourists to return to the country
Qatar Airways has resumed flights to Syria after a 13-year hiatus.
From January 7, weekly commercial flights between Doha and Damascus were resumed, after cancelling operation 13 years ago. There will be three weekly flights between Qatar and Damascus, Syria.
Flights were originally cancelled back in 2011, amid Syria’s civil war. The airline said that the decision to restart operations “reflects the airline’s commitment to fostering regional connectivity and supporting passenger demand” a month after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s government, reports The Independent.
According to Qatar Airways, the airline will work closely with the authorities to ensure that “all necessary safety, security, and operational standards are met”.
Qatar Airways Group chief executive officer Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “We are pleased to resume flights to Damascus, a destination of great historical and cultural importance. This announcement underscores our dedication to fostering connectivity and facilitating travel for our passengers.”
Passengers travelling to and from Damascus will benefit from Qatar Airways’ world-class service and access to Hamad International Airport, consistently ranked as one of the best airports in the world. The airline’s global network will offer travellers the opportunity to explore destinations around the world, via the airline’s hub in Doha.
The UK government has opened diplomatic contact with the Syrian rebels who toppled the dictator but still urges British citizens to leave the country as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) remains a proscribed terrorist organisation in the UK because of its past association with al-Qaida.
Anthony Radchenko, CEO of Airadvisor said: “This is not just a transformative step for the people of Syria and their passenger rights but also for the country’s reconstruction efforts. That’s because regular flights will boost humanitarian aid, business investments, and international support, boosting the country’s growth.
“This step by Qatar Airways speaks about its dedication to improving connectivity no matter how bad the situation might have been in the past. I see this as the airline’s symbolic step to rebuilding connections, and opportunities and offering hope, which goes beyond just flying passengers from point A to point B.
“Qatar Airways is renowned for its top-quality service and adherence to international air passenger rights, including delay compensation, rebooking assistance, and refund policies. Syrian passengers who might not have had such protections before will now benefit from improved travel assurances, which is a big win for them. Plus, by resuming services, Qatar Airways will emerge as a model for others, encouraging regional carriers to improve their services.
“However, we cannot ignore the challenges that come with it. No matter how stable the situation is at present, there’s always a lingering security risk in war-torn regions. Plus, we cannot ignore the regulatory and diplomatic hurdles such as international sanctions. I also feel during the initial days of service, there will still be a demand uncertainty owing to the global perception of safety in Syria. So, that’s something they need to factor in.”
James Wilcox, from Untamed Borders, added: “The resumption of Qatar Airways flights to Syria is a positive development and a significant sign of stability. We believe it certainly shows a growing international confidence in Syria and the potential return to a certain level of normality (albeit the country still faces significant challenges). We also hear that Turkish Airlines and Royal Jordanian may soon follow Qatar Airways and begin their own services back to the country, which would open up further opportunities for tourists to visit.
“Untamed Borders have been organising both group and private trips to Syria since 2017. Initially we only focused on a small area around the wider Damascus region, however, as the security situation changed further north we also visited the likes of Palmyra, Aleppo, Homs, Hama, the Crusader Fort of Krak des Chevaliers and Maaloula on our trips.
“However, if Syria continues to move forward with a stable trajectory and if/when international travel advisories, such as those issued by the FCDO, are eased, we anticipate a significant increase in tourism to the country. Coupling the improving security situation, alongside having improved international flight connections, is only likely to further the interest from potential visitors to the country — some who previously may have been hesitant to visit the nation.”