Deir ez-Zor Airport in eastern Syria has reopened to scheduled passenger flights for the first time in nearly 14 years. The airport closed to civil traffic in 2012 as the regional disruptions escalated. Its return to service marks a genuinely significant travel-connectivity moment for the region.
When Did Deir ez-Zor Airport Close, & What Actually Happened?
Syria’s General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport announced the reopening of Deir ez-Zor International Airport following the completion of maintenance and rehabilitation works. It also resumed domestic and international flight operations. The airport received its first domestic Syrian Air flight from Damascus and welcomed its first international flight from Kuwait, also operated by Syrian Air.
Ahead of the formal reopening ceremony, the airport had already begun handling humanitarian flights from mid-June 2026, before scheduled commercial service began.
The Actual Flight Schedule
For anyone in the Gulf planning around this: Syrian Airlines is running 2 weekly flights each to Damascus and Kuwait City out of Deir ez-Zor on an A320. And Kuwait’s connectivity is about to double. Jazeera Airways will also launch a 2x weekly Kuwait-Deir ez-Zor route on August 8. As per AeroRoutes.
Why It’s Happening Now
At the reopening ceremony, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa announced via video link development plans for the eastern region covering Deir Ezzor, Hasakah, and Raqqa governorates. Officials framed the airport’s return as part of a broader push to expand the country’s air network. It’s to revitalise domestic air traffic and strengthen connectivity between Syria’s governorates and other countries.
What This Means For Gulf Travellers
This is primarily about restoring connectivity for Syrian nationals and diaspora communities travelling between the Gulf and eastern Syria. Still, it’s a notable shift for anyone tracking Syrian Airlines’ or Jazeera Airways’ route expansion and worth watching as the region continues to rebuild its aviation infrastructure.
Cover Image Courtesy: CanvaPro/alexsl from Getty Images Signature
FAQs
Is this airport open to international leisure travellers?
The reopening currently centres on domestic connectivity and Kuwait, aimed largely at restoring travel for Syrian nationals and diaspora communities.
Which airlines now fly there?
Syrian Airlines operates the reopened routes to Damascus and Kuwait City, 2x weekly each. Jazeera Airways is adding a separate 2x weekly Kuwait–Deir ez-Zor route from 8 August 2026.
When did Deir ez-Zor Airport close, and why?
It closed to civil traffic in 2012, amid the escalation of the Syrian civil war, and sustained significant damage during the conflict.