Syria cancels some flights to Turkey amid aviation dispute
The Syrian government abruptly suspended Turkish carrier AJet’s first scheduled flight to Damascus earlier this week, triggering an aviation crisis between Turkey and Syria.
AJet, a budget airline and subsidiary of Turkish Airlines, had planned to launch its inaugural flight to Damascus on 21 April.
However, the Syrian Civil Aviation Authority cancelled the flight, along with subsequent planned flights.
Sources familiar with the matter told Middle East Eye that the Syrian government requested that Ankara allow Syrian airlines to operate flights to Turkey on a reciprocal basis to resolve the crisis.
At present, Turkish Airlines operates seven weekly flights to Damascus, while no Syrian airlines are permitted to fly to Turkey.
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A Turkish Transportation Ministry official told MEE that legal and technical limitations prevent Syrian airlines from flying to Turkey unless they lease or purchase new European aircraft.
The official noted that the aircraft operated by Syrian Air, the country’s flagship national carrier, and private airline Cham Wings fail to meet the technical standards required by Turkish and European aviation authorities. Additionally, some of these aircraft are subject to international sanctions.
In February, the European Union lifted transport sanctions on the Syrian government, allowing the purchase of Airbus planes and flights to European destinations.
However, US sanctions remain in place, barring certain aircraft from international operations.
Tensions
Earlier this week, Turkish Transportation Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu travelled to Damascus to discuss bilateral transportation issues, including potential Turkish investment in Syrian airports and railways.
Uraloglu also explained Turkey’s position to his Syrian counterparts and offered a potential solution.
“If they can lease aircraft with the necessary qualifications for long-distance flights that are not subject to US sanctions, we are ready to start the flights as soon as possible,” the Turkish official said.
While Turkey remains concerned about the potential fallout of international sanctions, Syrian officials argue that their airlines have successfully resumed direct flights to the UAE this week.
Syrian carriers also operate flights to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and other regional destinations.
A separate source told MEE that the Syrian government, struggling under a severe financial crisis caused by years of sanctions and internal conflict, is seeking to boost revenue by increasing operations of its national airlines.
Turkish officials expressed optimism that the issue would be resolved as soon as next week, allowing AJet flights to resume.
Despite Turkey’s role as a key backer of Syria’s new government following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, tensions over reciprocal arrangements have caused friction.
Earlier this year, Syria significantly increased import taxes on Turkish goods, angering many Turkish citizens.
Critics argue that the move was an unfair response, given Turkey’s efforts in hosting nearly four million Syrian refugees since the start of the civil war in 2011.
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