In brief
The landing of a Syrian Air flight in Aleppo symbolizes a potential turning point for Syria’s new transitional government, as it seeks to provide essential services and restore normalcy in a war-torn nation that has faced years of conflict.
Empty Line A Syrian Air flight from Damascus made history Wednesday by landing at Aleppo International Airport, marking the first domestic flight since the recent fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. As the flight arrived, airport preparations were still in full swing, with workers hastily clearing the runway of remnants from the civil war, including empty ammunition boxes and gas masks.Despite an hour's delay, the flight's landing was met with excitement, showcasing the transitional government's ambitions to restore services in a country that has endured prolonged strife. Anas Rustum, appointed by the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, expressed his enthusiasm for improving airport operations, stating, “We are coming to rebuild this country,” and welcoming international airlines to reconnect Syria with the world. The arrival of the Airbus A320 aboard the tarmac substantiates aspirations for a new era in Syria, where the airport had previously been instrumental in government assaults on rebel-held territories. For Ahmed Ibrahim, who has spent nearly 30 years controlling the airport, the flight signifies hope for rebuilding relationships with other nations. He recalls a time when fear overshadowed airport employees under the Assad regime, as armed forces often used the control tower to target civilian areas. A new chapter is now underway, and Ahmed hopes it will lead to increased aviation options and a revival of everyday life in Syria. "We’re hoping for there to be an opening to other countries," he voiced hopefully, encapsulating the spirit of a nation longing for peace and progress.
