Berlin–Damascus Flights Return After 15 Years
Direct flights between Berlin and Damascus have resumed for the first time since 2011, with SUNDAIR launching a twice-weekly service from Berlin Brandenburg Airport on 15 August. The German carrier is operating the route with an Airbus A320. The restart follows a new bilateral air services agreement between Germany and Syria, which created the legal basis for direct passenger flights between the two countries.
Berlin–Damascus Flights at a Glance
- Airline: SUNDAIR
- Route: Berlin Brandenburg (BER)–Damascus (DAM)
- Launch date: 15 August 2026
- Frequency: Twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Saturdays
- BER departure: 11:00
- Damascus departure: 17:05
- Flight time: About four hours outbound and four hours 20 minutes on the return
- Aircraft: Airbus A320
- Capacity: 180 passengers
- Main audience: People in the Berlin region with family or personal ties to Syria
- Seasonality: No end date has been announced
The route’s return does not mean Germany’s travel advice for Syria has changed. The Federal Foreign Office continues to warn against all travel to the country and says consular assistance for German nationals in Syria is extremely limited. The German Embassy in Damascus is closed to the general public, so anyone considering the service should check the latest official security information before travelling.
The nonstop flight removes the need for a connection through another hub for people travelling between Berlin and Damascus. The Syrian capital includes the UNESCO-listed Ancient City of Damascus and the Umayyad Mosque, although the new service should not be treated as a conventional city-break route while Germany’s travel warning remains in place.
For people who regularly travel between Germany and Syria, the new route removes a connection and shortens the journey considerably. It may be especially useful for family visits, which Berlin Brandenburg Airport has identified as one of the main reasons for launching the service. The return of direct flights, however, does not change Germany’s warning against travel to Syria or the limited consular support available there.