DAMASCUS, Syria

Following the overthrow of the Baath regime in Syria, the first passenger flight from the reopened Damascus Airport successfully landed at Aleppo Airport.

A Syrian Airlines passenger plane from Damascus Airport landed at Aleppo, marking the first flight between the two cities – the country’s largest – since the regime's collapse.

Aleppo Airport Director Mohammed al-Masri told Anadolu that necessary technical preparations had been completed, enabling the successful operation of the first flight from the capital Damascus.

He also expressed optimism that Aleppo Airport would resume full operations soon.

🛫 Following the fall of the Baath regime, the first flight departed from the reopened Damascus International Airport landed in Aleppo 🛬

The Damascus-Aleppo flight became the most tracked one on Flight Tracker ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/OZwV2R5EE7

— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) December 18, 2024

Journalist Musa al-Omar, who was among the passengers, shared his excitement about being on the flight from the capital to Aleppo.

"Both Damascus and Aleppo airports are 100% ready. I am thrilled to be part of this flight and consider myself very fortunate," Omar said.

"According to information from officials, Damascus Airport will soon be opened to international flights as well," he added.

The airport, which ceased flights after the regime's collapse on Dec. 8, reopened after preparations were completed.

Bashar Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia after anti-regime groups took control of Damascus on Dec. 8, ending the Baath Party regime, which had been in power since 1963.