Historical airline announcement — reviewed 6 November 2026: This article records the original May 2025 announcement by Romanian carrier Dan Air about reconnecting Europe with Damascus. The proposed departure cities, flight frequencies and launch dates changed before services began. Do not use this archive as a current airline timetable.
In May 2025, Romanian airline Dan Air announced plans to serve Damascus International Airport from Bucharest, with onward European connections involving Frankfurt, Berlin and Stockholm. Its announcement was an important step in efforts to restore direct air links between Syria and the European Union after years of limited connectivity.
What Dan Air originally announced
The initial May 2025 plan listed six weekly flights between Bucharest and Damascus beginning 15 June 2025. It also referred to direct services involving Germany and Sweden, and listed aircraft of the Airbus A320 family. These were proposed schedules at the time, not confirmed current routes.
What changed before the June 2025 launch?
By 5 June 2025, the filed Bucharest–Damascus timetable had been revised from six to four weekly services, with changes to the proposed aircraft. Separate planned Bucharest–Frankfurt and Bucharest–Stockholm routes were also withdrawn from the then-published schedule, while the separate Bucharest–Berlin launch was rescheduled. Travellers should therefore not interpret the original multi-city announcement as proof that every advertised flight began operating.
The first confirmed Dan Air flight from Bucharest to Damascus departed on 15 June 2025. Syrian state media reported its arrival at Damascus Airport with 138 passengers. Read our first Dan Air flight report for the confirmed launch milestone.
What the announcement meant for Syria travel
Direct flights from an EU-based airline offered an additional route for returning Syrians, business travellers and international visitors. It also illustrated the gradual re-establishment of international aviation services after the disruptions that began in 2011. But a historical announcement cannot answer which routes are operating today.
Booking advice and sources
For a new journey, verify schedules and tickets on the airline’s official website, confirm your arrival airport and review our Syria entry-route guide. Visa, airline-document checks and flight connections depend on the traveller’s passport and route.
Sources: Romania Insider — May 2025 announcement; AeroRoutes — revised Damascus schedule, 5 June 2025; AeroRoutes — changes to European plans; SANA — 15 June inaugural flight.