Dubai-based carrier flydubai has confirmed it will resume daily scheduled flights to Aleppo International Airport, effective 20 July 2026. The move adds a second Syrian gateway to the airline’s network, complementing its existing service to Damascus. The route will operate from Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport (DXB) and is part of the airline’s broader strategy to reconnect underserved markets in the Levant region.
Network Expansion and Codeshare Benefits
The daily service will be operated under the existing codeshare partnership with Emirates, allowing passengers to book seamless itineraries across both carriers’ networks. Return Business Class fares start at $2,178 (AED 8,000), while Economy Class Lite fares begin at $490 (AED 1,800). The codeshare agreement, which covers multiple flydubai routes, gives Emirates customers access to Aleppo via Dubai, and flydubai passengers can connect to Emirates’ long-haul flights from Terminal 3.
Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of flydubai, described the resumption as a significant step. “We are pleased to resume our operations to Aleppo after nearly 14 years of halted operations. The introduction of our daily service to Aleppo marks an important milestone in our network expansion strategy,” he said. The airline last served Aleppo in 2012 before suspending operations due to the Syrian conflict.
Demand Drivers and Summer Peak
Hamad Obaidalla, Chief Commercial Officer at flydubai, noted that the Damascus route has consistently shown strong load factors, particularly among the Syrian diaspora in the Gulf and business travelers. “The launch of our new daily service also comes at an ideal time to support increased travel demand during the peak summer period,” he added. The airline expects similar demand patterns for Aleppo, which is a historically important commercial and industrial center in northern Syria.
The route also supports cargo transport, with belly-hold capacity for freight. Aleppo’s location near the Turkish border makes it a potential transshipment point for goods moving between the Gulf, Turkey, and Europe. Industry analysts see the resumption as a signal of gradual normalization in Syrian aviation, though most international carriers remain absent from the market.
Broader Regional Context
flydubai’s Aleppo launch comes amid a wider push by Gulf carriers to expand into secondary cities in the Middle East and North Africa. The airline has recently added routes to destinations such as Al Alamein in Egypt and Khasab in Oman, and has been deepening its codeshare with Emirates. The Aleppo service also aligns with the UAE’s efforts to strengthen economic and cultural ties with Syria, where Dubai-based businesses have maintained a presence throughout the conflict.
For travel professionals, the new route offers an additional option for clients visiting family in Syria or exploring Aleppo’s UNESCO-listed Old City, which is undergoing gradual reconstruction. Tour operators and agents can bundle the daily flights with accommodation and ground transport, leveraging the Emirates-flydubai network for multi-city itineraries.
The resumption is also relevant for MICE planners, as Aleppo’s business district and trade fairs may see renewed interest. However, security conditions remain a consideration, and travel advisors should monitor local advisories.
In related developments, Thailand has been targeting Middle East growth with a wellness push and a new flydubai route, while Emirates has expanded its A350 service to Colombo with a second daily flight. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s package visa pilot bundles flights, hotels, and visas for streamlined travel, and Riyadh Air has launched daily Mumbai service, marking its entry into India.
