SunExpress Reopens Syrian Skies with Inaugural Aleppo Flights
In a powerful symbol of recovery and reconnection, Turkish-German carrier SunExpress — a joint venture between Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa — launched its first commercial flight to Aleppo International Airport on August 1, 2026, arriving from Antalya, Turkey. This historic first flight signifies the commencement of regular twice-weekly services on the Antalya–Aleppo route, operating every Wednesday and Saturday aboard Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
Just a day later, on August 2, SunExpress further expanded its Syria network with the introduction of the Izmir–Aleppo route, also operating twice weekly on Fridays and Sundays. These strategic moves position SunExpress as one of the most prominent international carriers to re-enter Aleppo as part of Syria’s broader aviation revival in 2026, a year that has already seen activity in Syrian airspace double.
Syria’s Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that these new routes are part of a wider framework aimed at enhancing air transport links, supporting the tourism sector, and boosting Syria’s economic recovery. Fellow carriers, including Germany’s LEAV Aviation (from Düsseldorf) and Saudi Arabia’s flynas (from Riyadh), also launched Aleppo services on August 1, underscoring the growing international confidence in Syria’s aviation rebound.
Source: Al-Monitor – Syria Launching Moscow, Medina Flights as Aviation Momentum Builds