Commercial flights between Turkey and Syria have resumed after 13 years with a Turkish Airlines flight from Istanbul to Damascus

Turkey's national flag carrier resumed flights to the Syrian capital Damascus on Thursday after a break of nearly 13 years, state news agency Anadolu reported. A plane with 349 passengers took off from Istanbul International Airport for Damascus on Thursday morning in first such flight since April 2012,

I've never seen my country. I'm so excited to see it for the first time,' says Syrian teenager whose family fled to Türkiye when she was only 2 years old - Anadolu Ajansı

Turkish Airlines has announced an intention to start direct flights from its Istanbul base to Auckland and Minneapolis later in 2025.

After Turkish Airlines began flying to Denver in June 2024, it stated that it would be adding Minneapolis, Charlotte, Philadelphia, and Orlando to its list of US destinations. In December of last year, Turkish Airlines also operated its first flight to Santiago de Chile via São Paulo, which was the carrier's longest route.

Officials say that Turkish Airlines will resume its flights to Damascus, Syria, next week after a halt of more than a decade.

It has not provided any further details but chairman Ahmet Bolat announced plans to launch services to Minneapolis in April or May this year and also to Auckland, Turkish website Turizm ekonomi reported.

Turkish Airlines — one of the world’s biggest carriers — is eyeing New Zealand for flights, according to a report from Turkey.

By bnm Gulf bureau The first Turkish Airlines flight in 13 years landed in Damascus on January 23, carrying 345 passengers including the airline's CEO Bilal Eksi, marking a significant step in Syria's reconnection with international aviation networks.

Turkish Airlines resumed flights to Syria on Thursday after a 13-year suspension, with a flight landing in Damascus from Istanbul airport, state media reported.