ICAO withdraws its 2013 letter on aviation safety in the Damascus region
ICAO told member states on 23 October that it had withdrawn the letter, allowing flights to and from Syria to be reassessed.
The head of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, Omar al-Husari, announced that the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) informed member states on 23 October that it had withdrawn its 2013 letter on the safety of civil aircraft operating in the Damascus Flight Information Region.
The withdrawal allows states and airlines to reassess operating flights to and from Syrian airports, and to use Syrian airspace for international transit.
According to SANA, the decision does not automatically lift restrictions imposed by specific states or regulatory bodies.
Key points
01
What did ICAO announce?
- ICAO told member states on 23 October that it had withdrawn its 2013 letter
- The letter concerned the safety of civil aircraft operating in the Damascus Flight Information Region
- The head of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, Omar al-Husari, announced the development
02
What does the decision allow?
- It allows states and airlines to reassess operating flights to and from Syrian airports
- It allows Syrian airspace to be used for international transit under modern risk management frameworks
- Al-Husari described it as a positive step toward opening the airspace to international civil aviation
03
Limits of the decision
- According to SANA, the decision does not automatically lift restrictions imposed by specific states or regulatory bodies
- The Authority continues to coordinate with ICAO and international regulatory bodies
SourceAl-Watan
PhotoSANA
Published26 October 2026
