Syrian Airlines resumes flights to Istanbul after 12-year hiatus

By Mohammad Sio

ISTANBUL (AA) - A Syrian Airlines passenger plane took off from Damascus International Airport for Istanbul International Airport on Tuesday, marking the air carrier’s first flight on this route in 12 years, the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA reported.

The resumption of direct flights between Syria’s capital and the Turkish metropolis follows a 12-year suspension triggered by the Syrian civil war, which ended late last year.

Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia in December, ending the Baath Party regime, which had been in power since 1963.

Ahmed al-Sharaa, who led anti-regime forces to oust Assad, in January was declared president for a transitional period.