Emirates to Relaunch Flights to Damascus, Connecting the Syrian Diaspora and Supporting Syria’s Recovery
(IN SHORT) Emirates will resume flights to Damascus starting 16 July 2025*, marking a return after a 13-year hiatus. Initially operating three weekly flights, the airline plans to expand to daily services by October. The flights will provide crucial connectivity for Syria’s recovery and economic revitalization while enhancing travel options for the Syrian diaspora. Emirates will also benefit from its codeshare partnership with flydubai, providing additional convenience for passengers. This move aligns with the UAE’s ongoing efforts to strengthen ties with Syria and stimulate trade.
(PRESS RELEASE) DUBAI, UAE, 2025-Jun-2 — /Travel PR News/ — Emirates has announced the return of its flights to Damascus, effective 16 July 2025*, after a suspension of operations since 2012. The decision follows a thorough evaluation in collaboration with the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), marking a significant step toward enhancing connectivity between the UAE and Syria.
Initially, Emirates will operate three weekly flights to Damascus on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Sundays, with plans to increase to four weekly flights by 2 August* with an additional Saturday service. By 26 October*, the airline intends to expand to daily flights, further boosting travel options for passengers.
Emirates’ Damascus services will be operated using a 302-seater Boeing 777-200LR. Flight EK 913 will depart from Dubai at 1200hrs, arriving in Damascus at 1410hrs local time. The return flight, EK 914, will depart Damascus at 1630hrs and arrive in Dubai at 2030hrs local time.** This re-establishment of services will provide vital connectivity for the Syrian diaspora in the Americas, Europe, and the GCC, supporting Syria’s aspirations for economic revitalization across key sectors such as energy, construction, and agriculture.
The new flights will also benefit from Emirates’ codeshare partnership with flydubai, offering additional travel options and enhanced convenience for passengers flying to and from Damascus.
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, expressed his support for Syria’s recovery, stating: “We are pleased to restart services to Damascus, providing vital connectivity for economic growth, investment, and trade. The return of Emirates flights is a step toward revitalizing Syria’s economy and providing the Syrian diaspora across the globe with better travel options to reconnect with their homeland.”
The UAE-Syria trade volumes reached US $680 million (AED 2.5 billion) in 2024, marking a 23% increase over the previous year. Emirates’ return to Damascus is expected to further strengthen these economic ties. The Syrian community in the UAE, over 350,000 strong, plays an integral role in the country’s prosperity, contributing through entrepreneurial efforts and skilled expertise.
The Boeing 777-200LR aircraft will offer 38 Business Class seats in a 2-2-2 configuration and 264 Economy Class seats. Emirates passengers flying to and from Damascus will enjoy a premium in-flight experience with Levantine-inspired meals, a wide selection of beverages, and Emirates’ award-winning ice entertainment system, which includes over 6,500 channels of content, including 650 Arabic options.
Emirates first began flights to Damascus in 1988, and prior to suspending operations in 2012, the airline had carried over 2.1 million passengers to and from Syria. Emirates now serves 13 cities in the Middle East/GCC, with a total of 191 weekly flights.
*Subject to government approvals
**Summer timings
¹Source: Figures from the UAE Ministry of Economy
²Source: Figures from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Media contact:
Email: pr@emirates.com
SOURCE: The Emirates Group
