ISTANBUL

Syria’s General Civil Aviation Authority announced Saturday that Aleppo International Airport will reopen to air traffic on March 18, nearly three months after being shut down.

According to Syria’s official news agency SANA, the aviation authority confirmed that all technical and administrative preparations have been completed, and the airport is ready to receive flights.

The authority invited airlines to resume operations at the airport starting Tuesday, with both domestic and international flights expected to return.

Aleppo International Airport was shut down in late November 2024 after opposition forces gained control of the airport, leading to the Assad regime’s decision to halt all flights amid escalating conflict.

The closure came as Bashar al-Assad's forces lost control of major parts of Syria, culminating in his flight to Russia on Dec. 8, marking the end of the Baath Party’s rule since 1963.

Ahmed al-Sharaa, who led the anti-regime forces in ousting Assad, was declared Syria’s interim president on Jan. 29.