First plane lands at Qamishli airport in over a year

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A plane arriving from Damascus landed at Qamishli airport on Saturday, marking the first such flight since the end of 2024 and signaling renewed efforts to reopen the facility under a recent agreement between Damascus and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

An official delegation from Syria’s General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport arrived aboard the flight to discuss the resumption of airport operations, according to statements carried by state media and the Hasaka governor’s office.

The delegation was headed by Deputy Head of the Civil Aviation Authority Amjad Nakhal and included Damascus International Airport Security Director Rami Orabi along with technical and administrative staff from various specialties.

They were received by officials affiliated with the Kurdish administration in northeast Syria (Rojava) and Damascus. A coordination meeting was held upon arrival, followed by preparations for an inspection tour of the airport’s facilities.

Officials said the visit falls within the framework of security and technical coordination aimed at completing operational requirements in line with approved standards, paving the way for the airport’s reopening in the coming days, according to a statement from Hasaka governor’s office. 

Earlier this month, a delegation from Syria’s interior ministry met with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to discuss transferring the administration of Qamishli airport to state control. The move is part of implementing the provisions of a January 29 agreement signed between the Syrian government and the SDF.

Saturday’s landing is seen as a practical step toward reactivating civilian air traffic at the airport after more than a year of suspension. Officials said specialized technical and engineering teams accompanying the delegation will complete the necessary logistical and technical preparations to reopen the facility at the required level of readiness.