Egypt Air, Emirates pull out flights from Damascus following intense fighting around the airport

Dec. 3, 2012 - PRLog -- The main road of the airport has been sealed, while nearby areas around the airport and its road have been targeted by airstrikes and shelling

   BBC News reported that in light of recent attacks in the nearby vicinity of Damascus International Airport, multiple international airlines have decided to cease flights to Damascus. The airport is still operating under normal routine, with certain regional and domestic airlines continuing flights in and out of the city.

  International airlines connecting to Damascus are mostly flag carriers based in the Middle East. Flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates, Emirates Airlines has cited the safety of its employees and passengers being the top priority, which has led to the closure of two of its daily flights to Damascus. Egypt Air, the flag carrier of Egypt, has followed suit. Same goes for Royal Jordanian Airlines, the flag carrier of Jordan.

According to Haaretz, the Damascus International Airport is located towards the southern outskirts of the city. Certain surrounding districts of the airport are dominated by rebel forces fighting against the government. As a result, Intense shelling as well as bombardment by military jets occurred in areas near to the airport. The main road leading from the city to the airport has been closed for security purposes.

  The civil war prevailing in the country has led to the disruption of major means of communication. Syria is currently facing a countrywide shutdown of internet and telephone services.

    Damascus, the capital city of Syria, hosts the country’s prime international airport. The city provides access to the commercial aviation industry, with high prestige in the tourism industry of the Middle East. It remains as one of the oldest established cities across the world, and has seen the rule from one dynasty to another. Today, it reserves an immense treasure of heritage in the form of historic buildings, landmarks and traditions.    

 TravelHouseUK has been serving multiple destinations in the Middle East, and being the capital of Syria, Damascus features among important destinations in the entire region. Along with Emirates, Qatar Airways and Royal Jordanian Airlines have been operating flights to Damascus which can be booked from the travel agency.

    Victor Hunt, the operations manager of TravelHouseUK, has regarded the situation as a matter of grave concern for the commercial aviation industry. “When air carriers decide to establish flights to a certain airport, they invest manpower and assets in the form of aircraft, repair facilities while contracting support of peripheral services from external suppliers” he said. “Therefore, a decision to cease operations may become a bigger liability for losses.”

“Even though international airlines have pulled out of Damascus, the international airport of the city is functioning normally. There are certain regional and local airlines operating flights on schedule, the most prominent being the national airline, Syria Air.”