On Wednesday, a domestic flight from Damascus landed in Aleppo, marking a hopeful milestone as Syria’s transitional government seeks to stabilize the war-torn nation. The event underscores the rebels’ ambitions to provide essential services and restore security under their governance.
A New Era Takes Off: Domestic Flights Resume in Post-Assad Syria
A New Era Takes Off: Domestic Flights Resume in Post-Assad Syria
The resumption of domestic air travel in Aleppo signals the transitional government’s efforts to restore normalcy and rebuild Syria after years of civil war.
As Syria embarks on a new chapter following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad, Aleppo International Airport buzzed with anticipation on Wednesday as the first domestic flight from Damascus touched down. This marked a significant milestone for the transitional government, which is working diligently to stabilize a nation ravaged by nearly 14 years of civil conflict.
Before the arrival of the Syrian Air flight, the airport staff diligently prepared for the event by cleaning the runway of remnants from the previous regime, including empty ammunition boxes and military gear. The arrival of the Airbus A320 was warmly welcomed by an eager crowd of journalists and local onlookers, all hopeful for a symbol of recovery and progress.
Anas Rustum, assigned by the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham to oversee airport operations, expressed the importance of this flight, recounting, "We consider this a big accomplishment — we are coming to rebuild this country." Rustum looked forward to reopening the airport to international and domestic flights, projecting an image of peace and the promise of better days ahead.
The flight's arrival demonstrated not only the technical competence of the new administration but also their commitment to security, with armed personnel on-site to safeguard the proceedings. This marks a profound transformation for the airport, which for years served as a strategic base for the Assad regime's military efforts against rebel forces.
According to Ahmed Ibrahim, a control tower operator with three decades of experience, the atmosphere at the airport has notably shifted. He recalled the fear among employees when the airport fell to the rebels but noted the new leadership's efforts to restore confidence by welcoming back all airport staff. Ibrahim highlighted the potential for domestic and international commercial flights to symbolize a return to normalcy in a post-Assad Syria and expressed hope for future connections with other nations.
As Syrian society stands at a pivotal juncture, the successful operation of the Aleppo airport embodies the transitional government’s aspirations for reconstruction and peace in a once-divided country. The commitment to restoring aviation serves as both a literal and metaphorical flight towards a new beginning for the Syrian people.
