ISTANBUL: The air transportation route connecting Turkey with Syria became operational again through commercial services on Thursday January 23, 2025 after an interruption of thirteen years. A Turkish Airlines schedule for Istanbul to Damascus transportation served as the starting point for normalized relations after Syria achieved its political transformation.
The passengers on board Turkish Airlines flight TK0846 used pro-opposition songs and flags to celebrate while getting ready to take off. In addition to the plane’s noise the onboard music played “Hold your head up high, you are a free Syrian” which embodied the passengers’ positive mindset. Fuad Abdulhalid, a passenger returning after 12 years, expressed his joy: My heart longed for Syria so I became excited to return home.
Nail Beyazid with raw emotion shared his feelings about coming back to his country after escaping the war throughout these years. The family owned three significant possessions including a home a factory and vehicles. He stated we are returning to check everything out. 
This flight delivered Turkish diplomats alongside Turkish Red Crescent humanitarian assistance to show Ankara’s backing of the HTS-led government which presently controls Syria. A lightning rebel offensive which mobilized through the country caused President Bashar Assad to lose power last month and allowed the Islamist group along with HTS to seize control.
Several nations from the Arab world and Western region are rebuilding their relationships with Syria through observed Royal Jordanian Airlines transportation this month. The HTS-controlled government in Syria enjoys close ties with Turkey since Ankara plans investments into Syria’s economic sectors and energy markets.
The CEO of Turkish Airlines Bilal Eksi announced direct flights which would operate three times a week to Damascus while pointing to increased partnerships between Turkey and Syria. Following Russian FM Asaad al-Shibani’s visit to Ankara he met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to advance bilateral relations.
The restart of flight operations represents an important turning point in efforts to reconnect Turkey and Syria.
