- Damascus International Airport (DAM) sits about 30 km southeast of central Damascus, linked to the city by the M5 highway.
- The airport runs two terminals: Terminal 1 for international flights and Terminal 2 for domestic, with a Qatar-backed third terminal under construction.
- Free WiFi, ATMs, currency exchange, duty-free shopping, and a VIP lounge are all available inside the terminal.
- An official taxi desk in the arrivals hall offers a set fare; public buses, hotel shuttles, and rental cars are also available.
- Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, and other carriers now connect Damascus with the Gulf, Turkey, and beyond.
As of July 2026, EASA continues to advise operators against flying in Damascus airspace (FIR Damascus) at any altitude, an advisory extended through 31 October 2026. Check Is Damascus Airport Open? on the Wego blog for the latest status before you travel.
Damascus Airport Guide at a Glance
Damascus International Airport (ICAO: OSDI) is Syria’s largest and busiest airport. It sits 616 metres above sea level, about 30 km southeast of Damascus.
Two parallel runways, each 3,600 metres long, handle everything from regional narrow-body jets to long-haul widebodies.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| IATA code | DAM |
| ICAO code | OSDI |
| Distance from city center | about 30 km, via the M5 highway |
| Elevation | 616 m (2,021 ft) |
| Runways | two parallel runways, 3,600 m each |
Terminals at Damascus Airport
Damascus Airport currently splits operations across two terminals. Terminal 1 handles international departures and arrivals.
Terminal 2 is reserved for domestic flights within Syria. Check-in, passport control, and security sit on the upper departure level, with baggage claim and customs below in arrivals.
A third terminal is under construction as part of a $4 billion redevelopment agreement with Qatar’s UCC Holding — a memorandum of understanding signed in August 2025, followed by final concession agreements in November 2025. The new terminal will sit beside Terminal 1 and lift the airport’s capacity toward 31 million passengers a year.
Construction is active across the site, so terminal assignments can change. Confirm your terminal on your booking confirmation or airline app before you leave for the airport.
Facilities and Services Inside the Terminal
Damascus Airport’s international terminal covers the essentials for a comfortable transit. Free WiFi runs throughout the building, including inside the VIP lounge.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Money | ATMs dispensing Syrian pounds, plus currency exchange and money transfer counters in the main hall |
| Connectivity | free WiFi terminal-wide; Syriatel and MTN Syria kiosks sell local SIM cards and USB data sticks |
| Dining | six restaurants and bars across the main lobby and boarding areas, 24/7 fast food, and Saddik Pastries for local sweets |
| Duty-free | the Ramak Damascus Free Duty Shop (about 900 sq m), plus retail stores selling perfume, electronics, alcohol, tobacco, and souvenirs |
| Lounge | a VIP lounge for first and business class passengers, with WiFi, snacks, TV, and showers |
| Other services | an information desk, a post office, medical services, luggage wrapping, and luggage scales |
Getting from Damascus Airport to the City Center
A taxi is the fastest way from DAM into central Damascus, taking 25 to 45 minutes depending on traffic and checkpoints. A public city bus is the cheapest option, and some hotels also run their own shuttle.
All these routes use the M5 highway linking the airport to downtown Damascus. Free drop-off is available for departing passengers, with paid parking for longer stays and a petrol station at the airport entrance.
Airlines Flying to Damascus Airport
Etihad Airways became the last of the major Gulf carriers to resume Damascus service, launching direct Abu Dhabi flights on 12 June 2026 after a 14-year gap, with four flights a week on an Airbus A320.
Airline schedules to Damascus are still shifting frequently as the regional situation evolves — the routes below reflect availability as of mid-July 2026, but frequencies can change at short notice.
| Airline | Route(s) |
|---|---|
| Etihad Airways | Abu Dhabi, 4 flights a week |
| Qatar Airways | Doha — cut back to 1–2 flights a week (Boeing 777) as of July 2026, down from the daily service launched in May; frequency is scheduled to step back up later in the year |
| Turkish Airlines and AJet | Istanbul, plus AJet to Ankara |
| Jazeera Airways | Kuwait, up to four flights a day |
| Kuwait Airways | Kuwait, daily — resumed 15 July 2026 after a 14-year gap |
| Royal Jordanian | Amman |
| Air Arabia | Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi (daily since 1 July 2026) |
| flydubai | Dubai |
| flyadeal | Jeddah and Riyadh |
| flynas | Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam |
| Dan Air | Bucharest — one of two current nonstop links to Europe; Syrian Airlines also resumed 3-weekly Damascus–Amsterdam flights on 2 July 2026 |
Fly Cham, the successor to the former Cham Wings Airlines (which ceased operations in June 2025), also runs seasonal flights to Baghdad, Erbil, Kuwait, Muscat, Istanbul, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah.
Syrian Air, the national carrier, also runs the airport’s main domestic link to Aleppo International Airport, Syria’s second-largest gateway.
Tips for Traveling Through Damascus Airport
| Tip | Details |
|---|---|
| Arrive early | allow extra time for security and passport control, especially at peak departure hours in the morning and late evening |
| Carry small SYP notes | useful for the taxi desk, luggage wrapping, or a quick snack before your gate |
| Confirm your terminal | ongoing construction means gate and terminal assignments can shift; check your airline’s app on the day |
| Charge devices in advance | power outlets can be limited in the older sections of the terminal |
| Book ground transport ahead if possible | pre-arranged hotel transfers avoid any last-minute fare negotiation with street taxis |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the IATA code for Damascus Airport?
Damascus International Airport’s IATA code is DAM. Its ICAO code is OSDI.
How far is Damascus Airport from the city center?
Damascus Airport sits about 30 km southeast of central Damascus. The drive takes 25 to 45 minutes via the M5 highway, depending on traffic.
Which terminal do I use at Damascus Airport?
Terminal 1 handles international flights and Terminal 2 handles domestic flights. Ongoing construction work means it’s worth confirming your terminal on your booking or airline app before you travel.
Is there WiFi at Damascus Airport?
Yes, free WiFi is available throughout the terminal, including inside the VIP lounge.
What is the cheapest way to get from Damascus Airport to the city?
A public city bus, running every 30 to 60 minutes, is typically the cheapest way into Damascus. Some hotels also run a shuttle, though availability and timing vary by property.
Which airlines currently fly to Damascus Airport?
Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, AJet, Jazeera Airways, Kuwait Airways, Royal Jordanian, Air Arabia, flydubai, flyadeal, and flynas connect Damascus year-round, though frequencies shift with the regional situation — Qatar Airways, for instance, is down to 1–2 flights a week as of July 2026. Fly Cham adds seasonal routes to destinations including Baghdad, Erbil, and Muscat.
Planning Your Trip Through Damascus Airport
Damascus International Airport has come a long way in the past year as more airlines restore service. With flights back from the Gulf, Turkey, and beyond, DAM is easier to fly through than at any point in over a decade.
Ready to book? Compare flights to Damascus or browse hotels in Damascus on Wego.
Sources
- Wikipedia — Damascus International Airport
- Damascus International Airport (official) — Services & Facilities
- Damascus International Airport (official) — Taxis, Car Rental & Parking
- Etihad Airways — Etihad Airways adds the world’s oldest city, Damascus, to growing global network
- UCC Holding — USD 4 billion investment and a capacity of 31 million passengers
- The National — Damascus airport to get five-star hotel under $4bn Qatari deal (final concession agreements, November 2025)
- AeroRoutes — Qatar Airways Adds Boeing 777 Damascus Service From July 2026
- Arab News — Kuwait Airways resumes flights to Damascus for first time in 14 years
- Times Kuwait — Jazeera Airways Announces Four Daily Flights to Damascus
- Middle East Monitor — Syrian Airlines launches first flight from Amsterdam to Damascus after years of suspension
- EASA — Conflict Zones Advisories (Syria/Damascus FIR)
- Wego Travel Blog — Is Damascus Airport Open After the Renewed Strikes? Latest Status & Travel Updates
Disclaimer: We’ve worked hard to make sure the information in this article is as accurate and up to date as possible at the time of publishing. Travel details such as prices, schedules, visa rules, and entry requirements can change at short notice, so it remains your responsibility to verify the current details with official sources before you book or travel. Wego accepts no liability for any loss or inconvenience arising from the use of this content.
