Cologne-based airline Leav Aviation is expanding its range of direct flights between Germany and Syria. Following the launch of a service from Düsseldorf to the Syrian capital Damascus on July 29, 2026, the company will also add nonstop flights to Aleppo to its schedule starting August 1, 2026.
This marks the first time in nearly 15 years that a German airline has resumed direct flights to Syria's two destinations. This development was made possible by an air transport agreement concluded between Germany and Syria in mid-July 2026, which redefined the legal framework for commercial flight operations. The service is primarily aimed at Syrians living in Germany and business travelers, but is subject to ongoing security risks and official travel warnings.
Expansion of flight services to Aleppo and Damascus
Leav Aviation's route network expands to include the city of Aleppo, its second destination in Syria. The inaugural flight from Düsseldorf to Aleppo is scheduled for August 1, 2026, followed by another flight on August 3, 2026. According to the airline, tickets for these flights are already available through existing sales channels.
The connection to Aleppo follows directly on from the opening of the Düsseldorf to Damascus route, which commenced operations on July 29, 2026. Leav Aviation will operate an Airbus A320-200 aircraft with a capacity of 180 seats on the Damascus route. Initially, two weekly flights are planned, on Wednesdays and Fridays. The flight time between North Rhine-Westphalia and the Syrian capital is approximately four and a half hours.
The resumption of these connections will significantly reduce travel times for passengers. In recent years, access to Syrian cities has been severely limited due to the cancellation of direct flights. Travelers regularly had to resort to time-consuming alternative routes via third countries to reach their destinations.
Legal and administrative foundations
The operating permits for the flights are based on a new bilateral air transport agreement signed by representatives of Germany and Syria in mid-July 2026. This agreement establishes the legal framework for the allocation of traffic rights for scheduled services between the two countries. Direct flight connections had been suspended since the outbreak of armed conflict in Syria in 2011 for political reasons and due to changing security circumstances.
To conduct the flights, Leav Aviation obtained the necessary permits from the relevant regulatory authorities. The German Federal Aviation Office and the Syrian Civil Aviation Authority granted the corresponding approvals for operating the aircraft on the requested routes. Company CEO Daniel Broda stated that the implementation of the flights was prepared in close coordination with the authorities of both countries.
Target groups and changing travel routes
The flight service primarily targets passengers who wish to visit relatives and friends in Syria. Germany has a significant Syrian diaspora, whose members have previously faced complex travel arrangements to their region of origin. Flights typically involved stopovers at international hubs in Turkey, Jordan, or Lebanon. Often, the flight was followed by several hours of onward travel by land.
In addition to private visits, the direct air link opens up options for business exchanges and for members of international organizations. The ability to fly directly to both the south of the country via Damascus and the north via Aleppo simplifies travel planning for different destinations within Syria.
Security situation and official information
Despite the legal resumption of air traffic, the security situation in the region remains complex. The German Federal Foreign Office maintains its partial and full travel warnings for Syria. Authorities continuously point to existing risks due to the unpredictable and rapidly evolving situation.
Airlines and travel experts therefore advise passengers to thoroughly inform themselves about current entry requirements, visa requirements, and security-related information from the German Federal Foreign Office and Syrian embassies and consulates before booking and embarking on a trip. Furthermore, travelers are strongly advised to take out appropriate insurance coverage, in particular travel health insurance with coverage for the destination region.
Market dynamics in international air traffic
Leav Aviation's initiatives are part of a broader development in the German aviation market. Besides the Cologne-based company, other market participants have also expressed interest in flights to the Middle East. For example, the airline Sundair plans to launch a connection from Berlin to Damascus on August 1, 2026, and flights from Berlin to Aleppo on October 1, 2026.
These projects demonstrate that the market for direct connections between Central Europe and the Middle East is regaining momentum after many years of stagnation. How sustainably these flights can establish themselves in the regular flight schedule will depend on actual demand, operational processes at the destination airports, and the further development of the general conditions in the region.