Flynas Syria Partnership With Syrian Civil Aviation Authority Launches New Regional Carrier

A new airline called "flynas Syria" is being created under an agreement between flynas and the Syrian General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport, signed in the presence of Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa. Commercial operations are planned to start in the fourth quarter of 2026, strengthening aviation links between Saudi Arabia and Syria.

The deal is part of wider cooperation and strategic investment arrangements between Saudi Arabia and Syria, coordinated with the Saudi Ministry of Investment and the Syrian General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport. The carrier will be a joint venture, with 51% held by the Syrian authority and 49% owned by flynas, subject to full licensing and regulatory approvals.

Under the agreement, flynas Syria will provide commercial air transport services that follow approved standards and regulations, while meeting strict safety and aviation security rules. The airline plans to serve destinations across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, aiming to strengthen air traffic to and from Syria and respond to increasing demand for regional and international travel.

The planned network is expected to improve Syria’s links with nearby and distant markets, supporting passenger movement and connecting key cities. As the route map develops, officials expect better regional integration through more direct services, as well as improved access for business travellers, visitors, and those flying for family or humanitarian reasons.

Saudi officials describe the agreement as aligned with national goals for cross-border investment and infrastructure growth. Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih said the aviation sector remains a major driver of economic activity and trade flows, and highlighted that the new company fits within broader efforts to strengthen cooperation with Syria in transport and logistics.

Minister Khalid Al-Falih stated: "This step is part of our commitment to supporting high-quality cross-border investments. The aviation sector is a key enabler of economic development, and the establishment of 'flynas Syria' serves as a model for constructive investment cooperation. This partnership enhances economic integration and market connectivity and supports development goals by advancing air transport infrastructure, ultimately serving the mutual interests of both nations and promoting regional economic stability."

Syrian aviation officials also presented the agreement as part of a larger plan to rebuild the national air sector. President of the Syrian General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport Omar Hosari linked the project with work to modernise regulations, attract investment, and develop skills, while keeping safety and service quality at the centre of operations.

Omar Hosari stated: "The establishment of flynas Syria represents a strategic step within a comprehensive national vision aimed at rebuilding and developing Syria's civil aviation sector on modern economic and regulatory foundations. This will be achieved while balancing safety requirements, operational sustainability, investment stimulation, and passenger services. The partnership reflects the state's orientation toward smart cooperation models with trusted regional partners, ensuring the transfer of expertise, the development of national capabilities, and the enhancement of Syria's air connectivity with regional and international destinations, in line with global best practices in the air transport industry."

flynas Syria aviation agreement and flynas strategy

flynas Chairman Ayed Al-Jeaid stated that the airline continues to follow a growth strategy focused on international expansion. Al-Jeaid described the agreement as a historic milestone in the company’s development and a promising investment structure with the Syrian Arab Republic, fitting with plans to expand participation in regional aviation markets.

flynas CEO Bander Al-mohanna said the partnership represents a qualitative leap for the company’s strategic direction and financial path. Al-mohanna pointed to the transfer of flynas’ low-cost aviation experience into the Syrian market, where it is expected to support regional and international air connectivity and create more travel options for different passenger segments.

Alongside the new venture, flynas already operates regular services between Saudi Arabia and Syria. The airline runs 23 weekly flights from Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam to Damascus, including two daily direct flights from Riyadh, one daily service from Jeddah, and two weekly flights from Dammam, maintaining a steady schedule on these routes.

flynas earlier added Damascus to its route network, becoming the first Saudi carrier to resume scheduled flights to the Syrian capital. That step marked a key moment in renewing direct air links between the two countries, and laid the operational base on which the new joint airline is expected to build.

With flynas Syria scheduled to launch in the fourth quarter of 2026, officials in both states see the carrier as part of efforts to rebuild Syria’s civil aviation sector and deepen economic ties. The joint venture structure, shared investment, and route plans are designed to support mutual interests and contribute to wider regional stability.

With inputs from SPA