According to a report by Middle East Eye, a new crisis has erupted between Turkey and Syria in the field of civil aviation. The Syrian Civil Aviation Authority suspended planned Turkish airline flights to Damascus after Turkey refused to grant flight permits to Syrian airlines.
This development came to light when Turkish Airlines’ (THY) subsidiary AJet abruptly canceled its planned flights (VF317 and VF591) from Istanbul and Ankara to Damascus. AJet had announced on April 11 that it would start scheduled flights from Istanbul on April 21 and from Ankara on April 22. However, the company has not made any public statement regarding the cancellations.
Syria’s Countermove
The Syrian government has demanded that Turkey grant flight permits to Syrian airlines in order to resolve the crisis. Syrian officials reportedly warned that if their airlines were not allowed to operate flights to Turkey, THY flights could also be suspended. It is claimed that Syria has given Turkey a ten-day deadline on the matter.
Currently, Syrian Air operates a fleet of two Airbus A320s, while Cham Wings Airlines operates five. These airlines continue to conduct flights to countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Oman. This situation has sparked debate over Turkey’s refusal to allow Syrian airlines to operate flights on the grounds of flight safety.
Turkey: “Aircraft Do Not Meet Technical Standards”
Turkish officials emphasize that Syrian airlines were denied flight permits because their fleets do not meet technical maintenance and safety standards. It was reported that during recent discussions in Damascus, Turkey’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, conveyed Turkey’s stance to Syrian officials and proposed solutions.
THY Continues Flights to Damascus
Despite the crisis, Turkish Airlines’ daily flights between Istanbul and Damascus continue. THY had resumed its Damascus flights on January 23, 2025, after a 13-year hiatus.
A Reflection of Broader Political Tensions
Experts point out that the crisis in civil aviation reflects the broader political disagreements between Turkey and Syria. Depending on the outcome of upcoming talks between the two countries’ aviation authorities, the future of AJet and THY’s flights to Syria will be determined.
All eyes are now on new developments between Ankara and Damascus.
