The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) ended its 2013 Damascus airspace advisory, SANA reported Monday, citing an Oct. 23 communication to member states; Syria says airlines may now review routes.
Omar Hosari, president of Syria's General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport, said airlines and aviation authorities could examine transit routes and service to Syrian airports against current safety standards. He said the change may encourage more airlines to resume service and increase traffic crossing Syrian airspace. Hosari described restoring Syria's place in international aviation as a priority, linking stronger air connections with potential gains for passenger travel, transit activity and investment.
Hosari said the advisory's withdrawal would support efforts to address restrictions imposed by individual countries and regulators, but would not automatically remove them. Separately, he said Syria's civil aviation authority is coordinating with ICAO and international regulators to build confidence in flight safety and meet technical requirements.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) lists its Syria bulletin as active and valid until Nov. 30, unless reviewed earlier. It advises against flight operations at any altitude west of the line connecting ZELAF, BASEM, LOTAX and LATEB. Elsewhere in the Damascus Flight Information Region, EASA advises against flights below FL260 and urges caution at and above FL260.
