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Syria is getting two new direct links to Europe, just as one of the biggest restrictions hanging over the country has been removed.
Syrian Airlines will begin regular flights from Damascus to Vienna and Copenhagen on Sept. 21, Syria’s civil aviation authority announced.
The routes are part of efforts to rebuild the national airline’s network and encourage more foreign carriers to return to Syrian airports. For passengers, they will also offer an alternative to travelling through a third country.
The announcement came a day after the United States officially removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, where it had remained since 1979.
The two developments have not been officially connected. But both point to the same thing: Syria is no longer quite as cut off from the rest of the world as it was.
The U.S. decision followed a 45-day review by Congress. Washington said it was recognising steps taken by President Ahmed al-Sharaa to distance Syria from international terrorism.
Being on the list restricted U.S. aid, financial transactions and some exports. It also made banks and international companies reluctant to deal with Syria because of the legal and financial risks involved.
Syria welcomed the decision, saying it would make it easier to attract investment and rebuild after 14 years of civil war.
Washington also removed al-Nusra Front, later known as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, from its terrorism list. Al-Sharaa previously led the group before his forces overthrew Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
For Cyprus, the changes are worth noting. Syria is just across the water, and thousands of Syrians living here still have relatives there. More European flights could make family travel easier, although no direct Cyprus-Syria route has been announced.
Coming off the U.S. list does not mean that all restrictions have disappeared. Visa requirements, airline procedures and foreign government travel warnings remain in place.
Still, seeing Damascus return to European departure boards would have been difficult to imagine only a few years ago.
*With information from Reuters and Anadolu News Agency
