New flights from Turkey to Syria are set to launch this spring, as low-cost airline AJet, a subsidiary of Turkish Airlines, prepares to begin service between Istanbul, Ankara, and Damascus.
Starting April 21, the carrier will reintroduce direct air connectivity between the two countries after more than a decade of suspended commercial flights.
According to a statement from Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu, the Istanbul-Damascus route will operate four times a week, while flights from Ankara to Damascus will be scheduled three times weekly. The inaugural Istanbul flight is scheduled to depart from Sabiha Gökçen Airport on April 21, followed by the first Ankara departure from Esenboğa Airport on April 22.
Tickets are already on sale, marking the return of regularly scheduled service between Turkey and Syria for AJet, which was recently rebranded from AnadoluJet. The airline aims to expand its operations in the region, and the Damascus flights are part of a broader strategy to reconnect Turkish travelers with destinations that had long been off-limits due to conflict.
“We aim to increase the number of flights in line with both demand and operational suitability in the upcoming period,” Uraloglu noted in the official announcement. The resumption comes after a 12-year hiatus in commercial air links, originally halted in 2012 due to Syria’s civil war.
The reintroduction of flights follows a decision earlier this year by Turkish Airlines to also resume its own Istanbul-Damascus route. That flight restarted in January, serving as a signal of improving conditions and the gradual return of international travel to Syria. AJet’s new routes now provide an additional layer of accessibility, particularly for travelers seeking affordable options from major Turkish cities.
While international travel to Syria remains limited, the renewed air connectivity could play a role in easing travel for family visits, business purposes, and humanitarian efforts. For AJet, the move strengthens its regional presence and supports Turkey’s broader aviation strategy aimed at boosting regional links.
The airline, operating under the Turkish Airlines umbrella, continues to expand its network of destinations with a focus on cost-effective service and high passenger demand. Its new Damascus routes open the door for potential future growth, depending on market conditions and safety assessments.
The flights also mark a symbolic moment in regional aviation, as routes long closed due to conflict slowly begin to reopen. With two Turkish carriers now serving Damascus, Syria is seeing its skies gradually come alive again. Whether this signals the beginning of broader tourism or travel recovery remains to be seen, but for now, the air bridge between Turkey and Syria is being rebuilt—one flight at a time.
