Mezzeh Airport Rehabilitation Begins for Civilian Use

Preliminary rehabilitation works began on Wednesday, September 23, at Mezzeh Airport in Damascus, marking an initial step toward reclassifying the facility from military to civilian use. According to the General Authority for Civil Aviation and Air Transport, the airport will be designated for private and executive aviation, complementing Damascus International Airport.

Current Preliminary Works

The current phase includes a number of preparatory tasks, most notably debris removal and rehabilitation of parts of the infrastructure linked to air navigation. This is taking place alongside the completion of technical, operational and regulatory requirements needed for the airport's reclassification and preparation for civilian use.

Coordination with the National Commission for the Missing

Rehabilitation works are being carried out in coordination with relevant national institutions and in cooperation with the National Commission for the Missing, particularly in locations suspected of containing mass graves or human remains. Authorities state that such sites are being handled according to established procedures, ensuring the preservation of evidence and remains and the protection of victims' rights and dignity.

Civil Aviation Development Plan

The project falls within the broader framework of Syria's civil aviation development plan, with technical, operational, environmental and regulatory studies continuing, taking into account the nature of the surrounding area and the anticipated volume of future air traffic.

Statements from the Civil Aviation Authority

Mustafa Khairallah, head of the media department at the General Authority for Civil Aviation and Air Transport, stated on September 3 that the authority was preparing preliminary plans to reclassify Mezzeh Airport. He noted that the authority would begin the initial works required for reclassification, including debris removal and infrastructure works related to air navigation.