The Syrian Future Movement is following with great interest the recent announcements regarding the signing of a technical memorandum of understanding between the Syrian and German civil aviation authorities. It considers the rehabilitation of the air transport sector a vital artery for the national economy and a strategic step towards breaking the technological isolation that Syrian airports have suffered for years.
The Syrian Future Movement points to the technical reports issued by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for 2025/2026, which show that opening Syrian airspace to international air traffic reduces flight routes between Europe and the Arabian Gulf by 15-20% in terms of time and fuel consumption. This makes the stability of the Syrian aviation sector a global economic and environmental interest, not limited to the local level.
The Syrian Future Movement affirms that this cooperation, if implemented according to international transparency standards, will contribute to addressing the air safety gap. Statistics from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) indicate that regional airports in former conflict zones need to upgrade their radar and ground navigation systems by 60% to ensure compliance with the international safety standards Annex 14.
The Syrian Future Movement believes that the current transitional phase in Syria requires a pragmatic approach to infrastructure projects, one that transcends political polarization. Reconnecting Damascus and Aleppo to European capitals via technology is a crucial step that will facilitate the movement of people and goods and support the early economic recovery efforts needed by millions of Syrians.
To ensure the interests of both countries and the success of this initiative, the Syrian Future Movement offers the following recommendations:
- Contractual Transparency: The technical details of the agreement must be disclosed to guarantee their compliance with national sovereignty standards and to prevent the mortgaging of sovereign assets to long-term investment periods without tangible economic benefits.
- Technical Sector Neutrality: The development of civil aviation is a public service for Syrian citizens and expatriates and must remain free from any political interference that could hinder its sustainability.
- Training Local Personnel: The agreement with the German side should focus on knowledge transfer to empower Syrian engineers and technicians to manage modern systems, ensuring future operational independence.
- Environmental Standards: We recommend that the agreement adopt “green aviation” standards aligned with Germany’s and Europe’s 2030 vision to reduce emissions in Syrian airspace, thereby enhancing the international competitiveness of Syrian airports.
The Syrian Future Movement concludes its statement by emphasizing that building the Syria of the future requires an institutional mindset that leverages international expertise to construct modern national facilities that prioritize the Syrian people and position Syria as a cultural and economic bridge between continents.
