After a twelve-year hiatus, the skies between Saudi Arabia and Syria are open again, marking a significant step in warming diplomatic relations between the two countries. Last Tuesday saw the departure of the first flight from Damascus to Jeddah-King Abdulaziz International since 2010, carrying 270 Syrian pilgrims wishing to perform the hajj, one of the pillars of Islam.
This resumption of flights is the direct result of the rapprochement observed between the two nations, which renewed diplomatic ties last year. The decision to restart flights is not only pleasing news for pilgrims, but also a promising sign of a gradual normalization of relations.
According to Suleiman Khalil, a senior official at the Syrian Transport Ministry, this inaugural flight is part of a series of air connections intended to facilitate the movement of pilgrims to the holiest sites of Islam over the coming days. These special flights are just the beginning of a broader recovery of air services, which will soon include the opening of regular commercial routes.
A Saudi official confirmed that while the focus is currently on transporting pilgrims, plans are underway to establish commercial links in the coming weeks. This expansion of air services is expected not only to boost religious travel but also improve trade and human interaction between the two countries.
This resumption of flights is therefore seen as a boon both for pilgrims and for the economic and diplomatic prospects of the two nations, promising an era of renewed cooperation and mutual benefit.
