EXCLUSIVE: Syria plans $31m passenger hub in aviation rebuild

Syria is embarking on one of the most ambitious aviation rebuild programmes in its modern history, with governance reform, airport infrastructure investment and airspace redesign forming the backbone of a five-year transformation plan, according to Omar Hosari, President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, Syria.

Speaking to Arabian Business on the sidelines of the Global Airport Forum, Hosari struck an optimistic tone as he outlined how aviation is being positioned as a catalyst for economic recovery and national renewal.

“We are all optimistic about the future,” he said. “We have gained our country [back] after a long time of depression and destruction across all communities. Now we are focusing on aviation.”

Hosari did not understate the scale of the challenge ahead. Syria’s aviation infrastructure, he said, has been “totally destroyed,” requiring a rebuild that goes beyond conventional reconstruction.

“We are trying to build the infrastructure not from scratch, but from what exists,” he said. “That’s why our priorities are very clear and built on several pillars.”

The first and most critical pillar, according to Hosari, is governance reform.

“It is very important that we separate the regulatory section from the commercial section in the aviation industry. That was not the case before,” he explained. “Regulatory governance will bring investment and will give trust to investors to come to Syria, knowing there is supervision from a higher authority.”

The second pillar focuses on airport infrastructure, starting with Syria’s largest aviation project to date. Hosari revealed that the country has signed “the biggest aviation contract ever in modern Syrian history” for Damascus International Airport.

“This includes the reconstruction of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, and the construction of a new terminal,” he said. “The project will ultimately lift capacity from 1.2 million passengers to 31 million passengers by the end of the project.”

Work on Terminals 1 and 2 is already underway and is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, increasing capacity to 6 million passengers before the new terminal comes online.

Beyond Damascus, Aleppo Airport is also a priority, with plans “very advanced” and final touches underway, though no official announcement has yet been made. Rehabilitation work is also progressing at Deir ez-Zor Airport in eastern Syria.

“We have five civilian airports in Syria, and we are putting all of them into investment,” Hosari said. “We are very keen to use PPP [public-private partnership] and BOT [build, operate, transfer] models, which we have seen succeed across the region.”

He added Syria is receiving “tremendous interest from global players” and that offers are currently being vetted not only for financial value, but for long-term development impact.

“We want airports to be an engine to support the economy and, most importantly, to support the Syrian people who will run aviation for decades to come,” he said.

The third pillar of Syria’s aviation strategy centres on airspace redesign, leveraging the country’s geographic position between East and West.

“Syria’s position is very crucial,” Hosari said. “We have received a lot of demand from airlines to cross over Syria, because this can reduce flight times by more than one hour, reduce fuel burn, lower costs and support sustainability.”

He revealed Syrian engineers have already developed an in-house airspace redesign model, which the authority is seeking to patent.

“One of our top engineers has created something phenomenal in redesigning the airspace,” he said.

“After that, we will invite international companies to bid for the reconstruction and the equipment needed to control our airspace.”

The final pillar is training and capacity building, with a strong emphasis on empowering Syrian talent.

“Our condition in every agreement is that Syrian labour and Syrian expertise must be utilised,” Hosari said. “This is the priority of the government.”

On technology, he said Syria’s late re-entry into the global aviation system offers a unique advantage.

“Syria has been left behind for 15 years, so now we can start where the aviation industry ends today,” he said. “We don’t want old technology. Whether it’s digital transformation or AI, we want to implement what fits best for Syria.”

Hosari confirmed that Syria already has partnerships in place with investors from Saudi Arabia, the Gulf, Europe and the US, and used the Global Airport Forum platform to extend an open invitation to new partners.

“The reason I put my speech in front of this audience is to welcome and invite partners to come to Syria,” he said. “We are in Saudi Arabia today, and we are inviting Saudi and international partners to join us and invest.”

For Hosari, aviation is about more than airports and aircraft. “Aviation is the gateway to the country and the first impression visitors get,” he said. “It is also an enabler for the economy.”

After years of isolation, he believes Syria is ready to reclaim its place in global aviation. “Syria was one of the first countries to sign the Chicago Convention and was part of the creation of ICAO,” he said. “We want Syria back in its rightful place in aviation – and in all other industries.”