The flight schedule offers practical timing: Damascus flights arrive at 14:00 and depart at 15:00, while Aleppo services are scheduled to depart at 04:30 and arrive at 05:30. SAA Chairman Ali Salim Al Midfa emphasised that the new routes are a significant addition to the airport’s expansion strategy, responding to passenger demand and reinforcing the airport’s regional role.
Captain Moussa Boutros, Fly Cham’s chief executive, described Sharjah Airport as “a world‑class hub” with robust infrastructure and services, and said the launch aligns with Fly Cham’s broader regional growth ambitions.
Fly Cham, established in May 2025 with UAE backing, commenced operations from Damascus to Abu Dhabi on 11 June and has since added destinations including Baghdad, Erbil, Kuwait, Muscat and Dubai. The airline emerged from a restructuring of the former Cham Wings, following a state settlement—Cham Wings transferred assets to state‑owned Syrian Air while repaying $50 million and handing over two aircraft; its remaining Airbus A320 fleet was repainted for Fly Cham.
The development takes place against the backdrop of Syria’s gradual reintegration into international aviation. Foreign airlines flying into Syria have increased—from just three a year ago to 11 this month—including Emirates, and EU‑based Dan Air and Air Mediterranean. But challenges persist: outdated infrastructure, safety concerns, regional conflict, and airspace volatility continue to hamper recovery. Regulatory hurdles and visa restrictions remain obstacles to full growth.
Fly Cham’s launch into Sharjah represents both a commercial opportunity and a symbol of gradual normalisation. The airline’s rapid network build‑out across the Gulf aligns with easing sanctions and growing demand for travel and trade. While major carriers such as Lufthansa and Air France‑KLM have inspected Syrian airports, they have yet to resume services amid lingering concerns over safety and regulatory rigor. The new Fly Cham routes may prompt further interest from international operators if infrastructure and regulatory standards continue to improve.
On the Syrian side, Damascus International Airport has reopened to international traffic earlier this year, following its closure during the fall of the Assad regime. On 7 January, the first international commercial flight landed from Doha following renovations supported by Turkey.
Fly Cham’s entry into Sharjah establishes a tangible link that may facilitate the movement of people, support humanitarian and business travel, and strengthen cultural ties. The airline’s growth trajectory, though still modest, intersects with broader trends of Syria’s tentative aviation recovery and regional reintegration.
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