Syrian Air
The national airline of Syria, headquartered in Damascus.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Syrian Air, also known historically as Syrian Arab Airlines and commonly styled SyrianAir, is Syria's flag carrier. The airline is based in Damascus and has operated from Damascus International Airport, with Aleppo International Airport serving as an important former base. Its business has centered on scheduled passenger services, with cargo capacity and government-related aviation also forming part of its broader operating context. The carrier's immediate predecessor, Syrian Airways, was established in 1946 and began flying in 1947 with a small fleet of Beechcraft and Douglas aircraft. It developed an initial domestic network linking Damascus with cities including Aleppo, Deir ez-Zor, Palmyra and Qamishli, and then added regional services to destinations such as Beirut, Baghdad, Jerusalem, Amman, Cairo, Kuwait, Doha and Jeddah. Financial problems, the 1948 Arab–Israeli War and the withdrawal of Pan American technical support caused an interruption in operations, but government assistance enabled services to resume in the early 1950s. In 1958, Syrian Airways was merged with Egypt's Misrair following the political union between Syria and Egypt. The resulting United Arab Airlines operated the Syrian network within a larger Cairo-centered system. Syria withdrew from the union after the dissolution of the United Arab Republic in 1961, and Syrian Arab Airlines was created in October of that year to assume the country's air services. The new carrier initially used a mixed fleet of Dakotas, Skymasters and DC-6 aircraft, restoring domestic and regional operations and progressively rebuilding its international network. The 1960s marked Syrian Air's transition into a jet operator and a period of substantial geographic expansion. Two Sud Aviation Super-Caravelles entered service in 1965, supporting flights to Europe, the Middle East and South Asia. The airline became a founding member of the Arab Air Carriers' Organization and joined IATA in 1967. It also cooperated with Middle East Airlines on services between Beirut and Damascus. Political and military events repeatedly affected the network, including the suspension of Jerusalem services after the 1967 war. During the 1970s, the airline modernized its image and fleet. Damascus International Airport opened in 1973 and became the carrier's principal hub. The network expanded into Eastern Europe and North Africa, while Boeing 707 aircraft were leased to supplement the existing fleet. The brand name SyrianAir was formally adopted in 1975, although the legal name remained Syrian Arab Airlines. Boeing 727s and Boeing 747SPs subsequently supported a broader long-haul and regional network. The airline reached a reported high point in 1976, when it carried approximately 480,000 passengers, and it considered a transatlantic service to New York that was not ultimately implemented. The 1980s brought more difficult conditions. Regional conflict, including the Lebanon War, reduced traffic, while worsening relations between Syria and Western governments restricted access to Western aircraft and complicated fleet renewal. Syrian Air introduced Soviet-built Tupolev Tu-134 and Tu-154 aircraft to maintain and expand its network, while older Caravelles and Boeing aircraft continued to be used. Flights to London were suspended in 1986 amid a diplomatic crisis between the United Kingdom and Syria following the Hindawi affair. In the longer term, the Syrian civil war, damage and closures affecting airports, international sanctions and restrictions on air links sharply reduced the carrier's network compared with its pre-war period, when it served more than 50 destinations across Asia, Europe and Africa. Syrian Air has primarily remained a state-linked national carrier serving a much narrower Middle Eastern market, but the available reference material does not establish a definitive current fleet, route map, financial position or operating status.
History
Syrian Air traces its institutional history to Syrian Airways, established in 1946. The predecessor began commercial operations in June 1947 with two Beechcraft Model 18 aircraft and three Douglas DC-3s acquired from Pan American World Airways, which also provided early technical assistance. The first network connected Damascus with Aleppo, Deir ez-Zor, Palmyra and Qamishli, then expanded to nearby Middle Eastern destinations including Beirut, Baghdad, Jerusalem, Amman, Cairo, Kuwait, Doha and Jeddah. Hajj-related flights were also operated. The airline experienced serious difficulties during its early years. Financial problems and the 1948 Arab–Israeli War contributed to a service suspension after Pan American withdrew. Government support allowed the operation to resume in 1952. The fleet was enlarged with additional Douglas aircraft, including DC-3s, DC-4s and DC-6s. Two early accidents affected the carrier's development: a Douglas aircraft crashed near Damascus in December 1953, killing all nine people aboard, and a Dakota crashed after departing Aleppo's Nayrab Airport in February 1956 during severe weather, killing all 19 occupants. Political integration with Egypt produced the next major institutional change. In December 1958, Syrian Airways merged with Egypt's Misrair to form United Arab Airlines after Syria and Egypt joined the United Arab Republic. During this period, Syrian services were largely domestic and regional, with longer-distance journeys connecting through Cairo. The political union ended in 1961, and Syria withdrew from United Arab Airlines. Syrian Arab Airlines was established in October 1961 to take over the Syrian operation and serve as the country's new national airline. The re-established carrier rebuilt its fleet and route system during the 1960s. It operated DC-47, DC-54 and DC-6 aircraft before acquiring Super-Caravelle jets in 1965. The jets enabled services to European cities including Rome, Munich, London and Paris, as well as destinations in the Middle East and South Asia. Syrian Arab Airlines became a founding member of the Arab Air Carriers' Organization and joined IATA in 1967. The Six-Day War interrupted service and led to the suspension of Jerusalem flights, although normal operations were progressively restored. Expansion continued in the 1970s. Moscow services began in 1970, and additional routes were introduced to the Gulf, Eastern Europe and North Africa. Damascus International Airport opened in 1973, replacing the older Mezze facility as the carrier's main hub. The airline introduced a new visual identity featuring a stylized bird over a blue disk and later formally adopted the SyrianAir styling in November 1975. Boeing 707 aircraft were leased while three Boeing 727s and two Boeing 747SPs were acquired or ordered as part of a fleet-renewal program. The 747SPs were deployed on longer international routes, including services through Europe to South Asia and the Gulf. A proposed joint transatlantic operation with Royal Jordanian did not materialize. The airline entered the 1980s with Boeing 727s, Boeing 747SPs and older Super-Caravelles. Passenger traffic reached approximately 510,000 in 1981 but declined the following year amid the Lebanon conflict. Western sanctions and deteriorating political relations limited access to newer Western aircraft and encouraged reliance on Soviet-built equipment. Tupolev Tu-134s entered service in 1983, followed by Tupolev Tu-154Ms between 1984 and 1986. These aircraft supplemented Boeing and Caravelle operations on regional, European and Gulf routes. The London route was suspended in 1986 after the diplomatic crisis between Syria and the United Kingdom associated with the Hindawi affair. The airline's later history has been shaped by Syria's political and security environment. The Arab Spring and Syrian civil war disrupted airport access, reduced international connectivity and led to the loss or suspension of many routes that had previously linked Syria with Europe, Asia and Africa. Sanctions and restrictions further constrained fleet renewal and international operations. Syrian Air consequently became a much more limited regional carrier than it had been during its 1960s and 1970s expansion. The available reference material does not provide sufficiently current information to confirm its present route network, fleet, leadership or financial condition.
- 1986
London service suspended
[1]The airline suspended its London route amid a diplomatic crisis between Syria and the United Kingdom.
- 1983
Tupolev Tu-134 introduced
[1]Soviet-built Tu-134 aircraft entered the fleet as Western sanctions constrained access to new Western aircraft.
- 1976
Reported passenger peak
[1]The airline reportedly carried approximately 480,000 passengers during a period of network and fleet expansion.
- 1975
SyrianAir styling adopted
[1]The airline introduced the SyrianAir brand styling while retaining Syrian Arab Airlines as its legal name.
- 1973
Damascus International Airport opens
[1]The new airport southeast of Damascus became the airline's principal hub.
- 1967
IATA membership
[1]Syrian Arab Airlines joined the International Air Transport Association.
- 1965
Jet age begins
[1]The airline introduced Sud Aviation Super-Caravelle aircraft, expanding its international capabilities.
- 1961
Syrian Arab Airlines created
[1]After Syria left the political union with Egypt, a new Syrian national airline was established in October.
- 1958
Merger into United Arab Airlines
[1]Syrian Airways merged with Egypt's Misrair following the formation of the United Arab Republic.
- 1952
Operations resume after interruption
[1]Government support enabled the airline to restart services after early financial and geopolitical difficulties.
Products and positioning
State-owned national flag carrier serving Syria's domestic, regional and international air-transport needs.
Passenger aviation · 1947
Domestic passenger services
Syrian Air historically linked Damascus with Syrian cities including Aleppo, Deir ez-Zor, Palmyra and Qamishli. Domestic services were operated with several generations of propeller and jet aircraft, including Dakotas, DC-6s and Yakovlev Yak-40s. Conflict and airport disruption later reduced the practical scope of the domestic network.
Passenger aviation · 1947
Regional Middle Eastern services
Regional flying has been a core part of Syrian Air's identity since its predecessor served Beirut, Baghdad, Amman, Cairo, Kuwait, Doha and Jeddah. The airline also operated routes to Gulf, Levant and Arabian Peninsula destinations, with frequencies and city pairs changing in response to regional conflicts and political conditions.
Passenger aviation · 1963
International passenger network
At its historical peak, Syrian Air connected Damascus with destinations in Europe, North Africa and South Asia. Super-Caravelles, Boeing 707s, Boeing 727s and Boeing 747SPs supported routes to cities such as London, Paris, Rome, Munich, Moscow, Karachi and Delhi. The international network later contracted substantially.
Cargo aviation
Air cargo
Cargo has formed part of Syrian Air's air-transport activities, including the use of freighter-capable aircraft in its historical fleet. The available material does not establish the carrier's current dedicated cargo schedule or cargo fleet.
Brand decisions
1983
Shift toward Soviet-built aircraftGeneration changeBackground
Western sanctions and strained relations limited the airline's ability to acquire newer Western equipment.
Action taken
Syrian Air introduced Tupolev Tu-134 aircraft and later added Tu-154Ms.
Aftermath
The Soviet-built aircraft helped maintain regional and European operations despite restrictions on fleet modernization.
1975
Adoption of SyrianAir brand identityStrategyBackground
Fleet modernization and international expansion created a need for a more contemporary public identity.
Action taken
SyrianAir styling was formally adopted while Syrian Arab Airlines remained the legal title.
Aftermath
The new identity accompanied the introduction of Boeing aircraft and the carrier's strongest period of international expansion.
1975
Boeing fleet-renewal programGeneration changeBackground
The carrier sought higher-capacity and longer-range aircraft to support its expanding network.
Action taken
It ordered Boeing 727s and Boeing 747SPs and used leased Boeing 707s while awaiting fleet deliveries.
Aftermath
The Boeing aircraft supplemented Super-Caravelles and enabled high-capacity services on European, Gulf and South Asian routes.
1965
Introduction of Super-Caravelle jetsProduct launchBackground
The airline needed jet equipment to extend range and improve the speed and capacity of its international network.
Action taken
Two Sud Aviation Super-Caravelle 10B3 aircraft were acquired and placed into service.
Aftermath
The jets supported new and expanded routes across Europe, the Middle East and South Asia.
1961
Re-establishment as Syria's national airlineStrategyBackground
Syria's withdrawal from the United Arab Republic required a separate national aviation organization.
Action taken
Syrian Arab Airlines was founded to assume the Syrian operations formerly conducted under United Arab Airlines.
Aftermath
Domestic and regional services resumed, followed by renewed European, Middle Eastern and South Asian expansion.
1958
Merger with MisrairM&ABackground
The political union of Syria and Egypt under the United Arab Republic led the two state airlines to combine their operations.
Action taken
Syrian Airways and Misrair were merged into United Arab Airlines.
Aftermath
Syrian services operated within the new carrier until Syria withdrew after the union ended in 1961.
Sources1 sources
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