Etihad to Resume Flights to Damascus After 14-Year Hiatus Due to War
Etihad Airways has announced its plans to resume flights to Damascus, marking a significant milestone 14 years after the onset of the Syrian civil war made travel to the country perilous.
On September 19, 2025, Etihad revealed that its new four-weekly service to Syria’s capital is set to commence in June 2026. The airline considers Damascus a vital destination in the Middle East, noting a surge in regional travel demand.
Antonoaldo Neves, the CEO of Etihad Airways, shared, “This new route reflects our commitment to connecting people to the places that matter most to them. We are proud to expand our network into Damascus – one of the world’s most historic and culturally crucial cities – and to support the Syrian population with direct flights to and from Abu Dhabi, alongside convenient connections across our global offerings.”
The flights will utilize Etihad’s Airbus A320, which accommodates eight business-class seats and 150 in economy class.
In 2024, trade between the UAE and Syria saw an impressive year-on-year growth of 23%, reaching $680 million, with the UAE being home to over 350,000 Syrians. Neves emphasized that “With trade between the UAE and Syria continuing to grow strongly, and with a vibrant Syrian community contributing to the prosperity of the UAE, these new flights will further strengthen our social, cultural, and economic ties.”
Flight EY561 will depart Abu Dhabi on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 09:15, arriving in Damascus at 11:30. Return Flight EY562 will take off from Damascus on the same days at 15:00, landing back in Abu Dhabi at 19:00.
Several airlines, including Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Royal Jordanian, and Qatar Airways, have resumed flights to Syria this year. After a lengthy conflict, forces opposed to former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad ousted him in December 2024.
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