Flying to Syria in 2026: flydubai and flynas Launch New Dubai and Riyadh Routes to Aleppo

flydubai starts daily nonstop flights between Dubai and Aleppo on 20 July 2026, and flynas follows with twice-weekly flights between Riyadh and Aleppo starting 1 August 2026.

Both routes add to a fast-growing list of new Gulf links to northern Syria this year, alongside the growing number of flights into Damascus. Here’s what’s actually flying, what you’ll need to enter Syria, and what official advisories say about the trip.

flydubai and flynas launch new Aleppo routes

flydubai announced on 10 July 2026 that it will operate a daily non-stop service between Dubai International (Terminal 3) and Aleppo International Airport (ALP), starting 20 July 2026.

Aleppo becomes flydubai’s second Syrian destination after Damascus, which it has served since 1 June 2025 and now flies to three times a day.

• FZ 1191: Dubai (DXB) 11:00 → Aleppo (ALP) 13:40
• FZ 1192: Aleppo (ALP) 14:40 → Dubai (DXB) 19:20

Return Business Class fares from Dubai start at AED 8,000 and Economy Class Lite from AED 1,800, while fares from Aleppo start at USD 2,000 in Business and USD 470 in Economy. The route runs under flydubai’s codeshare with Emirates, so connecting passengers can book a single ticket with through-checked baggage.

flynas is reported to be launching two direct weekly flights between Riyadh and Aleppo from 1 August 2026, according to industry and regional travel press coverage of the airline’s plans.

flynas became the first Saudi carrier to resume flights to Damascus in June 2025. According to the airline, its existing Damascus network now runs:

• Riyadh: 14 flights a week
• Jeddah: 7 flights a week
• Dammam: 3 flights a week

Book flights on Wego’s Aleppo flight search or track live schedules through the Wego flight tracker once both routes go live.

Every airline flying to Damascus and Aleppo right now

Syria’s two international airports are more connected than at any point since the civil war began, with around ten carriers now serving the country.

Aleppo airport first reopened for commercial traffic in March 2025, then resumed service again on 4 March 2026 after a temporary closure, when Syria’s Civil Aviation Authority reopened the northern air corridor toward Türkiye.

Damascus airport returned to full regular service on 8 April 2026, once all of the country’s air corridors reopened.

Damascus also regained a long-haul European link on 2 July 2026, when Syrian Airlines resumed direct flights from Amsterdam — the first non-stop service between Syria and Western Europe in 14 years.

As of 15 July 2026, both airports are operating scheduled international flights. Schedules have shifted several times in 2026 as security conditions changed, including a renewed spike in regional tensions in June 2026, so always confirm your flight directly with the airline close to departure.

Visa and entry requirements for flying to Syria

Syria does not currently have a functioning central e-visa portal, so most travelers arrange entry either on arrival or through advance approval from their airline or a Syrian embassy.

Visa on arrival at Damascus

According to the US State Department, the Syrian government may issue a 30-day tourist visa on arrival at Damascus International Airport, or at land crossings from Lebanon or Jordan. Fees are paid in cash and vary by nationality on a reciprocity basis.

Neither flydubai nor flynas confirmed in their announcements whether Aleppo passengers can obtain a visa on arrival at ALP itself. Airlines typically require a pre-approved visa document before boarding for any Syria-bound flight, so confirm this directly with flydubai or flynas before booking.

Applying for a visa in advance

If you’d rather apply in advance, the Syrian Embassy’s visa guidance lists the standard documents needed for a tourist visa:

• A passport valid for at least 6 months with a blank visa page
• A recent passport photo and a completed application form
• Proof of a confirmed return itinerary
• Proof of accommodation in Syria

Standard processing through an embassy takes roughly 7–10 business days. Syria’s banking system remains limited, so carry enough cash in US dollars or euros to cover your visa fee and expenses, since card and ATM access is unreliable.

Is it safe to fly to Damascus or Aleppo right now?

Every major Western government still advises against travel to Syria, regardless of which airlines are flying there.

• US State Department: Level 4 “Do Not Travel” for the whole country, citing terrorism, kidnapping, crime and armed conflict. The US Embassy in Damascus has been suspended since 2012, and the Czech Republic handles only limited emergency services on America’s behalf.
• UK FCDO: advises against all travel to Syria, and British nationals cannot access consular support inside the country.
• EASA: its Conflict Zone Information Bulletin recommends against operating in Syrian airspace at any altitude, valid through 31 October 2026.
• FAA / UK operators: US carriers are barred from the Damascus flight information region under FAA SFAR 114 through December 2028, and UK-registered operators face a blanket prohibition too.

The airlines now flying to Syria are almost entirely regional Gulf, Turkish and low-cost carriers. If you hold a passport from a country with a “Do Not Travel” advisory, check your travel insurance policy carefully, since coverage for Syria may be void.

Before you book: practical tips

Choose a flexible or fully refundable fare on any Syria route, since schedules to both airports have changed at short notice multiple times in 2026.

• Confirm your visa document with flydubai or flynas before paying for your ticket — airlines won’t let you board without one.
• Carry cash in US dollars or euros for visa fees and daily expenses, since Syria’s banking and ATM network remains unreliable.
• Register with your embassy or your government’s travel alert system before entering Syria.
• Check flight status close to departure using the Wego flight tracker, or directly with flydubai or flynas.
• Have a backup route in mind. Overland crossings into Türkiye from northern Syria remain an option if Aleppo airspace closes again.

If you’re planning a longer stay for business or to visit family, you can compare hotels in Damascus alongside your flight search on Wego.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do flydubai’s Dubai–Aleppo flights start?

Daily flights begin 20 July 2026, operating as FZ 1191 (Dubai–Aleppo) and FZ 1192 (Aleppo–Dubai) from Terminal 3 at Dubai International.

When do flynas’s Riyadh–Aleppo flights start?

flynas is set to launch two weekly flights between Riyadh and Aleppo starting 1 August 2026, alongside its existing Damascus network from Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam.

Do I need a visa to fly to Syria?

Most nationalities need a visa, typically arranged on arrival at Damascus airport or in advance through a Syrian embassy. Confirm requirements with your airline before booking, since airlines require a visa approval document before boarding.

Is it safe to fly to Syria in 2026?

The US State Department and UK FCDO both advise against all travel to Syria, citing terrorism and armed conflict risks. Airports in Damascus and Aleppo are operating commercial flights, but the security situation remains volatile and travel insurance may not cover trips made against official advice.

Which airlines fly to Aleppo?

Aleppo is served by flydubai, flynas (from August), Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, Jazeera Airways, Turkish Airlines, Royal Jordanian, Syrian Air and Qatar Airways. Confirm schedules directly, as routes have changed several times through 2026.

Sources

1. flydubai Newsroom — flydubai Resumes Flights to Aleppo
2. Air Arabia Press Office — Air Arabia Abu Dhabi Adds Aleppo to Its Growing Network in Syria
3. Etihad Airways — Etihad Adds Damascus to Its Growing Global Network
4. SANA (Syrian Arab News Agency) — Northern Syrian Air Corridor to Türkiye Reopened, Aleppo Airport Resumes Operations
5. Airways Magazine — Syrian Airlines Resumes Damascus–Amsterdam Route After 14 Years
6. US Department of State — Syria Travel Advisory (Level 4: Do Not Travel)
7. UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office — Syria Travel Advice
8. EASA — Conflict Zone Information Bulletin: Airspace of Syria (CZIB-2017-03)
9. Al Jazeera — Syria Says Cell Behind Terrorist Bombings in Damascus Arrested
10. Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic — Visa Requirements

Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.