Syria reopens southern air corridors; Damascus International Airport to resume flights from 16:00 on June 8, 2026
Syria reopens southern air corridors, restoring flights through Damascus airspace; Damascus International Airport will resume operations at 16:00 on June 8, 2026 after technical and safety assessments.
Syria’s General Authority for Civil Aviation and Air Transport announced the end of precautionary measures that had closed the country’s southern air corridors, taking effect at 16:00 Damascus time on Monday, June 8, 2026. The authority said the reopening permits the immediate resumption of commercial and transit flights through Damascus airspace. The statement, published on the authority’s official Facebook page, said the move followed continuous monitoring of regional developments.
Civil Aviation Authority ends precautionary flight restrictions
The General Authority confirmed that the temporary closure of southern air corridors was lifted after risk assessments showed conditions had improved. The decision restores one of the primary routing options for flights crossing Syrian airspace and is expected to ease operational pressures on alternate corridors.
Officials emphasized that the measures had been precautionary and that the reopening reflects a considered judgment by aviation authorities. The announcement noted that all actions were taken in coordination with the committee responsible for risk management and aviation safety.
Damascus International Airport resumes operations from 16:00 Damascus time
Simultaneous with the reopening of air corridors, Damascus International Airport will resume flight operations from 16:00 on June 8, 2026. Airport services, including passenger processing, ground handling and air traffic control, are being reactivated in phases to ensure orderly restoration of scheduled and unscheduled flights.
Local authorities have advised airlines and passengers to consult carriers for updated arrival and departure information. Airport management said it would implement staggered slot allocations as needed to manage the initial wave of returned traffic without compromising safety or service standards.
Risk committee and technical evaluations cited as basis for reopening
The authority attributed the decision to assessments carried out by the designated risk management committee, which evaluated operational safety, security conditions and air navigation capabilities. Technical teams inspected navigational aids, communications systems and airport infrastructure to confirm readiness for normal operations.
The authority stated that reopening is in accordance with international civil aviation standards and that any future changes to airspace status will be announced promptly. Continuous monitoring will remain in place to respond quickly should regional conditions warrant renewed restrictions.
Regional air traffic flow and airline operational impacts
The reopening of southern air corridors is likely to affect overflight routes and airline scheduling across the eastern Mediterranean and Gulf regions. Airlines that previously rerouted to bypass the southern corridors are expected to review flight plans to restore more efficient trackings, which could reduce fuel consumption and travel time for some services.
Airlines will need to coordinate with national and regional air traffic control authorities to secure slots and confirm flight levels. While some carriers may resume planned services to Damascus, others are likely to implement gradual adjustments as they assess demand and operational feasibility.
Guidance for passengers, airlines and international partners
Authorities urged passengers to verify their flight status with airlines and to arrive at the airport with sufficient time to accommodate any revised procedures. Travelers connecting through Damascus should check transfer arrangements, baggage handling policies and any public health or entry requirements that may apply.
The General Authority also said it will maintain communication with international aviation organizations and neighbouring states to ensure safe, coordinated reintegration of Syrian airspace into broader regional traffic. Airlines and operators were reminded to file required notices and updates with flight information regions ahead of operating.
The decision to reopen southern air corridors and resume operations at Damascus International Airport marks a step toward restoring normalised aviation connectivity for Syria’s capital, contingent on continued monitoring and adherence to international safety benchmarks.