Sami Aqil, Senior Vice President, Emirates’ Airport Services Outstation and Business Support, Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President International Affairs, Adil Al Ghaith, Emirates’ Senior Vice President Commercial Operations (Centre), H.E. Hasan Ahmed Al-Shehhi, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Syria, H.E. Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports and Chairman of the UAE Space Agency, Adel Al Redha, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Operations Officer, Amjad Nakhal, Director of the Chairman’s Office, Alaa Sallal, Director of PR, General Authority of Civil Aviation, H.E Omar Bin Ghaleb, Deputy Director General, UAE General Civil Aviation Authority
(IN SHORT) Emirates has officially resumed flights to Damascus, reestablishing air service after a 13-year hiatus. Flight EK913’s arrival was marked by a water cannon salute and attended by top UAE officials—led by H.E. Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi—and Emirates executives including Adel Al Redha and Adil Al Ghaith. Syrian authorities, led by Ambassador H.E. Hasan Ahmed Al‑Shehhi, joined the welcome ceremony. The airline will operate three weekly flights initially, increasing to four in August and daily from late October, contingent on approvals. The Boeing 777‑200LR aircraft offers 38 Business Class and 264 Economy seats, regional culinary offerings with Syrian ingredients, and extensive in‑flight entertainment. Emirates first flew to Syria in 1988 and, before suspending operations in 2012, carried over 2.1 million passengers. The restart underscores Emirates’ role in facilitating tourism, commerce, and familial reunions between Syria and the world.
(PRESS RELEASE) DUBAI, UAE, 2025-Jul-17 — /Travel PR News/ — Emirates has triumphantly restored its service to Damascus, welcoming the “City of Jasmine” back into its extensive global network spanning six continents. Flight EK913, carrying 286 passengers, touched down at Damascus International Airport at 2:30 pm yesterday and was honored with a traditional water cannon salute.
A high‑profile UAE delegation led by H.E. Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports and Chairman of the UAE Space Agency, joined Emirates executives onboard EK913 to mark the occasion. Key airline figures included Adel Al Redha, Deputy President and Chief Operations Officer; Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, Divisional Senior Vice President of International Affairs; Adil Al Ghaith, Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations (Centre); Sami Aqil, Senior Vice President of Airport Services Outstation and Business Support; Nick Moore, Senior Vice President of Passenger and Hub Operations; and Ahmad Al Khamis, Vice President of Aeropolitical Affairs.
L-R: Nick Moore, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Passenger and Hub operations, Sami Aqil, Senior Vice President, Emirates Airport Services Outstation and Business Support, Adil Al Ghaith, Emirates’ Senior Vice President Commercial Operations (Centre), H.E Omar Bin Ghaleb, Deputy Director General, UAE General Civil Aviation Authority, H.E. Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports and Chairman of the UAE Space Agency, H.E Obaid Saif Mohammed Alnuaimi, Executive Director Aviation Security and Accident Investigation Sector, Adel Al Redha, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Operations Officer, Hamad Ibrahim Essa Taher, Head of Aviation Security, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Kosai Khauli, Syrian Actor, Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President International Affairs, Ahmad Al Khamis – Vice President, Aeropolitical Affairs, Ahmed Saqer Al Marri, Dubai Group Security, Dubai Police
Representatives from UAE aviation authorities and security—among them H.E. Omar Bin Ghaleb of the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority, H.E. Obaid Saif Mohammed Alnuaimi of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority’s Aviation Security and Accident Investigation Sector, and Hamad Ibrahim Essa Taher, Head of Aviation Security—also participated, alongside media and other distinguished guests.
On the Syrian side, the welcoming party featured H.E. Hasan Ahmed Al‑Shehhi, UAE Ambassador to Syria; Amjad Nakhal of the General Authority of Civil Aviation; Anis Fallouh, Director of Damascus International Airport; Colonel Omar Abdel Baqi, Head of Airport Security; and Alaa Sallal, Director of Public Relations, plus additional civil aviation officials and press.
Adil Al Ghaith emphasized the flight’s importance: “Reinstating Emirates to Damascus is a landmark moment. We’re reconnecting families, friends, and business communities by linking Syria to nearly 150 destinations globally. Since first flying here in 1988, Syria has been pivotal to our network. Today, we support its tourism, trade, and recovery with reliable air links.”
Flight EK913 arrived at 2:30 pm with 286 passengers onboard and was celebrated upon arrival at Damascus International Airport, greeted with a water cannon salute.
The celebration continued with a ceremonial cake cutting and gift exchange involving senior Syrian and Emirates leadership, underscoring decades of partnership.
Alaa Sallal praised the collaborative effort: “Our teams worked tirelessly, uniting around a shared vision to fulfill all requirements for resuming flights. This achievement reflects deep cooperation and mutual commitment to strengthen fraternal and economic bonds.”
Initially operating three times weekly (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Sundays), Emirates plans to add a Saturday service from August 2 and transition to daily flights starting October 26—subject to government approval. Passengers will enjoy modern Boeing 777‑200LR cabins with 38 Business Class seats (2‑2‑2 layout) and 264 Economy seats, an international menu featuring Syrian-sourced ingredients, and up to 6,500 entertainment options on ice™, including 41 Syrian series and 380 Arabic films.
Bookings are available at emirates.com, via the Emirates App, call center, or through travel agents. Before its 2012 suspension, Emirates had transported over 2.1 million passengers to and from Syria. Today, the airline serves 14 cities across the Middle East/GCC with 194 weekly flights.
Media contact:
Email: pr@emirates.com
SOURCE: The Emirates Group
