Germany-Syria Direct Flights Resume as LEAV Aviation Launches Düsseldorf-Damascus Route

First Flight Departs Düsseldorf

On Tuesday morning, German airline LEAV Aviation operated its inaugural scheduled flight from Düsseldorf to Damascus International Airport, formally launching its regular service between Germany and Syria. The head of the Syrian Civil Aviation Authority, Omar Al-Hosari, confirmed that the aircraft was expected to arrive in Damascus within hours of departure, describing the occasion as a significant step toward strengthening air connectivity with Europe.

Civil Aviation Authority Announcement

The Syrian General Authority for Civil Aviation announced on Monday that two German carriers, LEAV Aviation and Sundair, would begin operating direct scheduled flights between the two countries. The announcement, published on the authority's official page, confirmed the resumption of direct air links after a prolonged interruption.

Sundair's Upcoming Flight Schedule

The authority outlined Sundair's planned routes as follows:

• Berlin to Damascus: scheduled to begin on 1 August 2026.
• Berlin to Aleppo: scheduled to begin on 1 October 2026.

Regulatory Approval Process

In June, the authority had denied that final approvals for direct Berlin-Damascus flights had been granted for August, stating that launching the route was contingent on obtaining regulatory and operational clearances from the relevant German authorities, as well as completing the necessary technical and legal procedures between both sides. The departure of LEAV Aviation's first flight indicates that these requirements have since been fulfilled for that carrier.

Significance of Resumed Air Links

The resumption of scheduled flights between Germany and Syria carries considerable practical significance, given that Germany hosts one of the largest Syrian diaspora communities in Europe. Direct air connections are expected to facilitate travel for family, business, and humanitarian purposes, and represent a tangible development in the broader context of Syria's gradual return to normalcy and the ongoing rebuilding of the country's infrastructure and international ties.