Date announced: Air Arabia resumes flights to Damascus
The airline will operate the route with double daily flights, providing direct connectivity between Sharjah International Airport and Damascus International Airport,
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The move underscores
'We are pleased to resume flights between Sharjah and Damascus after many years, reaffirming our ongoing commitment to enhancing regional air connectivity,' said Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia.
'This route holds particular significance in serving the Syrian diaspora in the region and meeting the growing travel demand between the UAE and Syria. By introducing a double daily service, we aim to offer greater convenience and flexibility for both business and leisure travellers, while also supporting the growth of trade, tourism, and cultural exchange between the two nations,' Al Ali added.
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'Travellers from the UAE are also increasingly opting for quick, culturally rich escapes to nearby, easy-to-reach destinations such as Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan.' Syria and Lebanon's travel rebound Two destinations seeing renewed interest from UAE travellers this year are Syria and Lebanon, according to Wego's data. Searches for flights to Syria increased 40 per cent in 2025 compared to last year, with average airfares costing about $602. Lebanon saw similar patterns in demand, although this has softened slightly following several flight suspensions to Beirut amid current regional tensions. Prior to this, the route had shown strong signs of recovery with Wego reporting a 27 per cent rise in bookings from the UAE, and average airfares of $480. There had been hopes that average airfare could come down following ultra-low-cost airline Wizz Air Abu Dhabi's launch of flights to Beirut earlier in June; however, these services are currently suspended until July 2, making fare reductions unlikely in the near term. Emirates briefly paused its operations to Lebanon amid regional events, but has since resumed these services. 'We're seeing renewed traveller interest in both Lebanon and Syria, both from people looking to reconnect with family, and from travellers keen to explore destinations that were once off-limits,' said Hmidan. One factor hampering the recovery of both destinations is not flight availability or travel demand, but rather a lack of essential services. While these destinations may be re-emerging on regional airline connectivity maps, travel insurers remain cautious about offering comprehensive policies. 'In Lebanon's case, most insurers are still offering coverage, but adding in specific territorial clauses and adjusted pricing,' says Toshita Chauhan from Policybazaar. 'Syria, however, remains largely excluded from most mainstream policies.' This insurance challenge reflects a broader shift in traveller behaviour across the region. More broadly, travel insurance has become perhaps the least expected summer accessory of 2025. Chauhan reports a 40 per cent month-on-month increase in comprehensive policy take-up, and links it not only to recent regional travel disruption, but also to rising overall trip costs. 'People in the region are now seeing travel insurance less as an optional add-on, and much more of a travel essential. With airfares so high, the cost of not being covered is simply too great,' she says. As the summer season reaches its crescendo, the UAE's airports and airlines are operating at full capacity, but so are traveller expectations with no slowdown when it comes to getting away. And for those who are prepared to be flexible, plan ahead and venture someplace new, summer experiences that won't break the bank may still be within reach.
