First passenger flight from EU landed in Damascus in years

Damascus/Bucharest – For the first time in years, a passenger plane from the European Union has landed in Damascus.

The Dan-Air flight from Bucharest landed on Monday morning with 138 passengers on board, as a representative of the airline reported to the Syrian news agency Sana. Among those on board were also several Syrian government members. According to Syrian sources, this was the first commercial flight from an EU country since 2012.

From next month, travel from Berlin to Damascus will also be possible via connecting flights, as indicated in the airline’s booking form. According to Sana, additional connections from Frankfurt and Stockholm are expected to be added.

Airline has only three aircraft 

“Dan Air is reopening the door to trade relations with Syria,” said Dan-Air CEO Matt Ian David according to a statement. All flights will be conducted in compliance with all safety standards, ensuring that travel for passengers is pleasant and safe.

Dan Air is a small low-cost airline from Romania that currently has three aircraft. According to a media report, the route between Bucharest and Damascus is expected to be serviced four times a week.

A bloody civil war raged in Syria from 2011 until the ousting of long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad at the end of last year. Just recently, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the lifting of sanctions against the country.

The EU and other Western countries have also lifted several trade restrictions imposed due to the brutal actions of the now ousted government. (June 16)