Damascus:The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has withdrawn a safety warning concerning Syrian airspace that had been in place for over 13 years, as announced by Syria's civil aviation authority on Monday.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, Omar al-Hosari, head of Syria's General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport, stated that this withdrawal marks a significant step towards reintegrating Syrian airspace into the global aviation network. Al-Hosari highlighted that ICAO's previous warning, issued in 2013, would no longer inform operational decisions regarding Syrian airspace, with future risk assessments to be based on updated international aviation safety and security standards.

This development allows countries, civil aviation authorities, and international airlines to reassess their decisions about flights over Syrian airspace and those arriving at and departing from Syrian airports. Al-Hosari noted that the move could potentially increase overflight traffic and encourage more international airlines to resume operations to Syria. However, he emphasized that the withdrawal does not automatically lift operational restrictions imposed by individual countries or aviation regulators.

Al-Hosari further explained that the decision would support ongoing technical and diplomatic efforts to address such restrictions in line with internationally recognized aviation safety and security assessments. Syria's aviation authority continues to work with ICAO and international civil aviation authorities to enhance confidence in flight safety and expand connectivity with regional and international markets.

The original ICAO warning, dated March 22, 2013, addressed the safety of civilian aircraft operating in the Damascus Flight Information Region. Meanwhile, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) maintains a conflict-zone information bulletin about Syrian airspace, revised on October 1, which remains valid until November 30, 2026.

Earlier this year, Syria reopened its air corridors and resumed operations at Damascus International Airport in April after temporary closures due to regional tensions. Al-Hosari affirmed that restoring Syria's role in international air navigation remains a strategic priority, with the potential to increase air traffic and bolster economic activity and investment in the nation's civil aviation sector.