The head of the Civil Aviation Authority and Air Transport, Ashhad al-Salibi, announced the reopening of Aleppo International Airport next week, with future plans to operate Latakia International Airport at a later stage.

Al-Salibi stated during a press conference with the regional director of the International Civil Aviation Organization in the Middle East, Mohamed Abu Baker, on Thursday, February 27, that an agreement had been reached to enhance cooperation with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), reaffirming the authority’s commitment to international standards, according to the official Syrian news agency (SANA).

He added that discussions covered updating infrastructure and improving air navigation efficiency, noting the existence of joint cooperation to open new avenues that serve the interests of the civil aviation sector.

For his part, the regional director of the International Civil Aviation Organization announced the signing of a “Memorandum of Understanding” between the organization and the Syrian Civil Aviation Authority, aiming to establish the foundations for mutual cooperation, highlighting the efforts made to develop the civil aviation sector in Syria according to international standards.

Aleppo Governor, Azzam Gharib, stated to Enab Baladi on February 7 that the preparation of Aleppo International Airport had been completed in a “record time” thanks to the efforts of the working staff, clarifying that most of the existing damages had been repaired.

He confirmed that the airport would resume domestic and international flights, becoming “a point of attraction for all those wishing to visit Syria and Aleppo in particular.”

The first civilian aircraft took off from Damascus International Airport to Aleppo Airport on December 18.

At the time, the Public Relations Office in the Syrian interim government stated to Enab Baladi that the first civilian aircraft flew from Damascus International Airport and landed at Aleppo International Airport, indicating that it was a test flight, and that international flights would begin operating shortly.

Main airports in Syria had suspended their air operations following the collapse of the Assad regime, which led to a halt in flight services.

Additionally, foreign airlines, including Lebanese Middle East Airlines, avoided Syrian airspace following the “Deterrence of Aggression” operation launched by opposition factions that took control over large parts of Syria on December 8.