Turkey helps rebuild Damascus Airport with new tech and safety systems, as Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu announced that a technical team from the General Directorate of State Airports Authority has been deployed to enhance the airport’s operations and security.
The collaborative effort aims to rejuvenate Syria’s main international airport, which suffered significant damage during the country’s prolonged conflict.
A 25-person technical team entered Syria through the Cilvegözü Border Gate in Hatay on February 7. Along with six trucks carrying 113 vehicles, devices, and systems, the team is working to ensure safe flight operations in Damascus Airport and Syrian airspace. Their mission includes installing advanced navigation systems, repairing damaged equipment, and training local personnel to manage modernized airport operations.
Turkey’s contributions cover various airport functions, including air navigation electronics, terminal operations, security, and airport rescue firefighting (ARFF). According to Uraloğlu, the navigation unit is closely analyzing flight operations, monitoring landings, takeoffs, and transit processes, and enhancing air traffic management with new auxiliary devices. Two new radio systems have already been installed in the air traffic control tower, replacing equipment that was either destroyed during the war or had been non-operational for years.
Security improvements have also been a focal point of this initiative. Turkey has delivered 10 x-ray machines, 4 explosive trace detectors, 10 door-type metal detectors, and 8 hand-held detectors. Uraloğlu highlighted that Turkish teams, working with Syrian authorities, have installed most of these devices, with ongoing efforts to address remaining deficiencies. Six x-ray machines and five metal detectors are fully operational, with additional installations and repairs underway.
Enhancing fire safety at Damascus Airport is another critical component of Turkey’s support. Two domestically produced Volkan Lion 8×8 ARFF vehicles have been deployed, along with various firefighting tools. These vehicles, designed for rapid response, significantly bolster the airport’s emergency preparedness and align its fire safety measures with international standards. Turkish teams have trained Syrian airport personnel on using the new equipment and are continuously assessing and improving the ARFF unit’s capabilities.
Minister Uraloğlu emphasized Turkey’s commitment to strengthening Syria’s aviation infrastructure, describing the effort as part of a broader cooperation between the two countries. “Our technical teams are meticulously working in every area from air navigation systems to security measures, increasing the operational efficiency of the airport,” he stated, affirming Turkey’s ongoing support for Syria’s aviation sector.
The modernization of Damascus Airport not only enhances safety and operational efficiency but also signals a step towards rebuilding critical infrastructure in post-conflict Syria. As flights resume and operations stabilize, this collaboration is expected to benefit both countries economically and diplomatically.
