Geopolitical factors can have significant impacts on the destinations airlines fly to. Global carriers like Turkish Airlines have to continuously monitor a variety of factors to ensure they can safely, reliably, and legally serve a destination. When carriers pull out of markets over security or legal concerns, they often leave a major void in the destination's air service-making it a good cause for celebration if the airline ever returns.
As a result of a regime change in Syria, Turkish Airlines has resumed service to Damascus, the capital of Syria. The carrier's new service will assist some of the over 4 million Syrian refugees that fled to Turkey following the outbreak of the nation's civil war in 2011. With flights operating several times per week, the two countries are once again connected with nonstop air service.
Turkish Airlines' swift return to the country should not be surprising when considering Turkey's involvement in the conflict in Syria. Turkey was the main backer behind the forces that ousted Bashar Assad in December 2024. Following the regime change, the country was the first to re-instate its embassy in Damascus, and has been vocal about lifting sanctions against the country to promote its economic development.
A 13-year hiatus comes to a close Damascus is not necessarily a new destination for Turkish Airlines. The Istanbul-based airline served the destination until 2011, after Syria fell into a civil war. Since then, many have fled the nation and sought refu.
