Vom Himmel in die Hölle und zurück – nach Jahren des Krieges feiert Syriens Luftfahrt eine Auferstehung

Syrien's aviation industry has emerged from decades of war, with passenger planes from Germany now landing in the former conflict zone. The Deir al-Zur airport, once controlled by the army under the former dictator Bashar al-Assad, now sees Syrian citizens returning for holiday trips. Rainfall during loading and unloading is welcomed by the airport staff, who see it as a blessing in the desert.

Leav Aviation, a German startup airline, operates a weekly Airbus A320 flight from Cologne/Bonn to Deir al-Zur. The aircraft is a highlight at the provincial airport. For the past two months, dozens of workers have been preparing for the arrival of the European plane. Despite the challenging environment, the workers remain positive, with some employees remarking on the incredible nature of the situation.

The restored airport is the only international connection, aside from the route to neighboring Kuwait, providing access to Deir al-Zur. The return of international flights marks a significant renaissance for war-torn Syria, with various airports across the country undergoing renovations and the resumption of foreign passenger planes.

The German airlines Leav Aviation, Düsseldorf, and Berlin's Sundair are connecting Syrian cities, while Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Emirates are also operating in the region. The Syrian national carrier Syrian Air has also resumed flights to Vienna and Copenhagen. Despite the setback, the Syrian aviation sector shows potential, according to aviation expert Darren Ellis from the University of Cranfield.