Emirates is preparing to re-link Damascus (Syria) back its network.
The move comes after flights were suspended in 2012, with the return only authorised in conjunction with the United Arab Emirates General Civil Aviation Authority. It also follows FlyDubai reentering the market.
Emirates is planning a phased reintroduction into service, with flights commencing from the 16th July.
- In Phase 1, Commencing 16th July, Emirates will operate three days a week (Monday, Wednesday and Sunday)
- In Phase 2, Commencing 2nd August, the airline will increase this to four days a week (operating Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday)
- In Phase 3, Commencing 26th October, Emirates will return to Damascus with a daily service
In terms of timings
EK913 DEPART DXB 12:00 ARRIVE DAM 14:10 EK914 DEPART DAM 16:30 ARRIVE DXB 20:30 Commmences 16th July Booked Equipment: Emirates Boeing 777-200LR Route and timings are subject to governmental approvals
Emirates’ services to Damascus will operate with a 302-seater Boeing 777-200LR, featuring 38 Business Class seats in a 2-2-2 formation, alongside 264 seats in Economy Class in the typical 3-4-3 formation.
According to Emirates, the flights will open up new opportunities for travellers to conveniently connect to and from the airline’s network of nearly 150 destinations and will support the UAE’s efforts to strengthen bilateral ties and support Syrian aspirations to rebuild and attract foreign investment across key sectors such as energy, construction and agriculture.
Emirates customers flying to and from Damascus will also benefit from the airline’s codeshare partnership with flydubai, which will complement its flight schedule and provide more options and convenience when flying in and out of the Syrian capital.
In Quotes
Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group, said:
“Emirates is pleased to restart operations to Damascus and support Syria’s road ahead by providing better choice and connectivity, essential economic links for inwards investment as well as opening new trade lanes and global market access for the country. Re-establishing air travel and connectivity is also good news for our customers that make up the expansive Syrian diaspora across the Americas, Europe and the GCC, who are eager to fly back home and reconnect to their roots, and leverage their knowledge, skills, expertise and resources in ongoing development efforts.
We would like to thank the Syrian authorities for their support in strengthening connectivity between Dubai and Damascus and look forward to boosting links to and from the country through our regularly scheduled operations.”
Rebuilding links
With civil war causing airlines to withdraw from Syria, this will be a welcome sign that foreign airlines are slowly returning to reforge air links in and out of the country.
For Emirates, there is a market, be it for diaspora or business, with the airline carrying over 2.1 million passengers in and out of Syria before they suspended the route in 2012.
With both flyDubai and Emirates returning, they will both be looking to reforge links, as well as build business.
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