UAE’s Etihad Airways Resumes Direct Flights to Damascus After 14 Years

Etihad Airways is bringing back direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Damascus on June 12, 2026, after stopping them for 14 years. This restart isn’t just about travel; it reflects the region’s shift toward business deals, cultural sharing, and getting more stable after a long period of conflict. To understand this return, let’s go back to 2012. As the Syrian civil war worsened, many international airlines stopped flying to Damascus due to safety concerns. Security risks, airspace restrictions, and general instability in Syria made it impossible for airlines like Etihad to continue flights to Damascus safely and reliably.

Over the last 10 years, several countries and airlines were slow to reopen air routes because of damaged airports, safety concerns, unstable governments, and regulations. Yet, once the political climate settles and diplomatic and logistical issues get resolved, re-establishing these routes generally becomes both possible and desirable.

Etihad’s plan includes:

Start date: June 12, 2026
Flights: Four times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday)
Plane: Airbus A320
Seats: Eight Business Class seats and 150 Economy seats
Schedule: Abu Dhabi to Damascus at 9:15 AM; Damascus to Abu Dhabi at 3:00 PM

This schedule looks like Etihad is trying to attract both business and leisure travelers. Morning flights and afternoon returns offer flexibility. The four-times-a-week flights are a good start as they re-enter the market.

Reasons for the route:

1. Improved diplomatic relations and regional activity
2. Increased trade
3. Demand from Syrian expats
4. Infrastructure repairs and regulation changes
5. Route expansion

What This Means for Syria and the UAE

*   Syria: A chance to improve its global image and open doors for working with other countries.

*   UAE and Etihad: A chance to grow and have more influence.

*   Travelers and Businesses: Easier and quicker travel.

*   Diplomacy: Stronger relationships and chances for people to connect.

Things to Watch

*   Ticket prices and how many people want to fly.

*   How safe the flights are.

*   If they add more flights to different places.

*   If trade and business improve.

*   The political climate.

Etihad’s choice to restart direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Damascus after 14 years is big. It’s about people, families, business, culture, and talks between countries. Sure, there are still problems like safety, what’s on the ground, if people want to fly, and political stuff, but there are also good things that can happen. This isn’t just a new flight. It’s like building a bridge again, fixing what time, fighting, and politics broke. If you’ve missed being able to see people, flying straight there again might feel great.

As we get close to the first Etihad flight on June 12, 2026, folks in the airline business, companies, and Syrians living outside the country will keep an eye on things. If it works out, it might help Syria connect with the rest of the world and show that even when things split us up, getting back together is still doable.