Jordan has reopened commercial flights to Syria for the first time in 13 years with the flight linking the country’s capital Amman with Damascus. It was an aviation landmark, made as Royal Jordanian Airlines launched its first commercial service from Amman in the direction of Damascus on Friday morning amid efforts to rebuild war-torn Syria and further strengthen ties between the two countries. Almost two months after rebel forces led by the al-Qaeda-linked Islamist militia Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) caused President Bashar al-Assad’s Syrian government to collapse in this way.
The resumption of commercial flights marks Jordan’s slow pivot on the diplomatic front toward its neighbor. The flight was joined by Samer Majali, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Royal Jordanian airline and Razan al-Jabarat, Executive Director, Corporate Communications. Royal Jordanian plans to expand partnerships that will increase both economic connectivity and assist with the reconstruction of Syria in the wake of its years of conflict, with plans for daily flights to the two countries to begin in April. In his official statement on the start of a new diplomatic opening between Jordan and Syria, Majali said International Airlines is also committed to rebuilding bridges in terms of air capabilities in the reestablishment of diplomatic relations with Syria through the new collaborative leadership.
Flights resumed between the two countries after countries around the region started to reopen diplomatic lines to Syria. Both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were quick to congratulate Ahmed al-Sharaa on his election as president, signaling the thawing of relations with Syria. The UAE opened the door to re-establishing an embassy in 2018 but pushes Syria to join the Arab fold with full enthusiasm while Saudi Arabia shows caution, in view of the conditions in the region.
In addition to the symbolic intent of reestablishing links with Damascus, two years after the much-feared Syrian conflict began, for Jordan, where these connections were broken and then restored is more of a pragmatic approach towards alleviating the economic and humanitarian hardships of the Syrian civil war. Jordan has taken in more than 1.3 million Syrian refugees since the start of the war, putting a massive strain on its resources and infrastructure. By restoring air links, Jordan believes it can ease the return of refugees, spur cross-border trade and play a role in Syria’s reconstruction efforts.
It was greeted at Damascus International Airport with a mix of optimism and caution. The resumption of flights is a sign of hope for many Syrians, after years of isolation and struggle. “This is a small yet significant step toward normalcy,” said one resident in Damascus. “We’ve been suffering for many years, and now we’re finally seeing elements of progress.”
However, challenges remain. Syria’s new leadership under HTS has huge obstacles to rebuilding the economy and infrastructure after years of war and international sanctions. The group’s Islamist ideology and links to extremist groups have also alarmed regional and international parties, complicating efforts to secure funding and support for reconstruction.
Despite this, the resumption of flights shows regional powers remain keen to engage with Syria’s new leadership, if slowly. The shift indicates a growing acknowledgment that isolating Syria no longer works as a strategy and that stability in Syria is critical for the wider region.
As Royal Jordanian prepares to offer daily flights to Damascus, much emphasis will be placed on incorporating this new page in Jordan-Syria fraternity’s relations as a specific gain for both parties. For Jordan, the flights are an opportunity to strengthen economic ties and address the refugee crisis. For Syria, they provide an opportunity to reconnect with the world and to start the long process of rebuilding.
“This isn’t only about flights; this is about rebuilding trust and a path forward,” said one analyst who covers the region. But this is a step in the right direction.” For the region, the hope is that this moment of reconnection can foster a more sustainable and prosperous future for both Syria and its neighbors