The airline became the first carrier from the European Union to operate direct scheduled flights between Romania and Syria, restoring a direct air link after nearly 14 years during which Syria was absent from the European air transport network.
According to the airline, the Bucharest–Damascus route has achieved an average load factor of 88% during its first year of operation.
Building on the performance of the service, DAN AIR announced that Aleppo will become a permanent destination in its summer schedule from 1 July 2026. The airline will operate scheduled services to both Damascus and Aleppo, becoming the only European Union carrier serving Syria’s two largest cities simultaneously.
The airline stated that the Bucharest–Damascus route was introduced in response to demand from the Syrian community across Europe, providing connectivity for family visits, business travel and mobility between the two regions
Matt Ian David, Chief Executive Officer of DAN AIR, said: “One year ago, we chose to launch a route that many considered impossible. We did so because we recognised the real need people had for connectivity and because we had confidence in our operational capabilities. I would like to thank my colleagues who operated these flights week after week with dedication and courage, especially given the many challenges posed by the regional context. We addressed them with professionalism, as reflected in our exceptionally high on-time performance and the absence of significant delays. The fact that, after just one year, we are expanding our presence in Syria and becoming the only European airline serving both Damascus and Aleppo confirms that this was the right decision. Beyond the numbers, these flights represent reunited families, economic opportunities and bridges rebuilt between people and communities.”
Despite regional tensions affecting air traffic across the Middle East, DAN AIR reported strong operational performance during its first year of services to Syria.
According to the airline, 98% of flights operated on schedule, while only 2% experienced delays of less than three hours. The majority of operations, representing 91% of flights, were conducted through Damascus International Airport. The remaining 9% were operated through Aleppo International Airport during the temporary closure of Damascus International Airport.
The expansion in Syria coincides with broader growth across the airline’s network. In 2025, DAN AIR carried more than 272,000 passengers, representing growth of over 30% compared with the previous year. The airline also recorded an on-time performance rate of 98%.
From 1 July 2026, DAN AIR will operate flights from Bucharest to Damascus every Wednesday and Sunday. Services between Bucharest and Aleppo will also operate twice weekly, on Wednesdays and Sundays.
Tags: Syria Matt Ian David, DAN AIR
