Saudi-Syria Civil Aviation Partnerships Enhance Regional Air Connectivity And Infrastructure

Saudi Arabia and Syria move to deepen Saudi-Syrian civil aviation cooperation through a new airline and an airport development agreement, steps that officials say will strengthen regional air links, boost trade and tourism flows, and support wider economic goals shared by both states.

The initiatives centre on creating the carrier "flynas Syria" and a strategic memorandum of understanding to develop and operate Aleppo International Airport. The announcements were made during a formal ceremony attended by Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa and a high-level Saudi delegation led by the Minister of Investment, underlining the political backing for the projects.

Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), said the launch of "flynas Syria" forms a significant new element in the regional air network, adding more options for passenger travel and helping support commercial exchange and tourism activity between Saudi Arabia and Syria.

Al-Duailej explained that the Aleppo International Airport development and operation plan represents a central component of Saudi-Syrian civil aviation cooperation, as it aims to upgrade airport infrastructure, create a sustainable investment climate, and align operations with global civil aviation standards, while also improving service quality for airlines and travellers.

Al-Duailej stressed that these aviation projects reflect the determination of the leaderships in both countries to deepen strategic cooperation in vital sectors, particularly air transport, which can reinforce economic integration and move the bilateral partnership toward wider and more durable prospects linked to long-term development priorities.

Highlighting future work with Damascus, Al-Duailej stated: "We are ready to work in an integrated manner with our brothers in Syria through multiple channels, including airport development and upgrading air navigation infrastructure, contributing to enhanced operational efficiency and strengthening regional and international air connectivity," noting that this approach is intended to deliver practical benefits for both systems.

The GACA president recalled that in December 2025, GACA and the Syrian General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport signed in Riyadh a memorandum of understanding on technical cooperation, and also held talks on revising the Air Services Agreement to reflect current needs and international practices.

Those December 2025 understandings seek to reinforce Saudi-Syrian civil aviation cooperation by setting clear regulatory frameworks for air transport between the two states, based on mutual interests, respect for national laws and regulations, and alignment with existing instructions in each country, while GACA continues working with partners to uphold high safety and security standards, support the region’s role as an active air hub, and contribute to Saudi Vision 2030 goals for an empowered and more connected aviation sector.

With inputs from SPA