Turkish Airlines Bars Israeli and Iranian Citizens from Flights to Syria Amid New Government's Entry Ban

Jan 16, 2025, 11:45 AM

Turkish Airlines has announced that it will not transport Israeli or Iranian citizens to Syria, following a decision by the Syrian authorities. The airline is set to resume flights to Damascus from January 23, 2025, after more than a decade, with a schedule of three flights per week. The decision comes in the wake of the collapse of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government, with the new Syrian administration, led by Ahmet Şara, banning entry to nationals of Israel and Iran. This policy aligns with Turkey's recent role in supporting the new Syrian government, including assistance in setting up airports for international flights. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has confirmed that Turkey will continue to support Syria in various areas, including transportation, as directed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.