Syrian Airlines has unveiled a new visual identity and aircraft livery as the state-owned carrier rebuilds its operations nearly two years after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government.
The new scheme replaces the airline's blue identity with dark green and gold. It was presented at Damascus International Airport on October 5 on Airbus A320 YK-AKJ, the first aircraft to enter service in the new colors.
The relaunch follows more than a decade in which war and international sanctions severely reduced the airline's operations. Syrian Airlines continued flying during the conflict, but lost access to much of its international network and faced increasing difficulty obtaining parts and maintenance for its Western-built aircraft.
The carrier entered 2026 with only three operational aircraft, according to Syrian Aviation Holding CEO Anwar Akkad. It now has six and plans to reach 12 by the end of the year. Its network is expected to grow from nine destinations at the start of 2026 to 25 by December.
Six original A320s remain parked
Syrian Airlines received six new Airbus A320s between 1998 and 1999. They became the core of its fleet, but sanctions increasingly restricted access to components and technical support, a problem that became more severe during the civil war.
All six were eventually withdrawn and are now parked at Damascus. The airline obtained two used A320s through Iran in 2022 to keep operations running, registered YK-AKG and YK-AKH.
The situation changed after Assad's government fell in December 2024. The United States and European Union began removing sanctions against Syria in 2025, reopening access to aircraft leasing, maintenance, insurance and other services. The US Treasury formally removed Syrian Arab Airlines from its sanctions list in June 2025.
Syrian Airlines has since returned to several international markets, including European destinations. It initially relied on an A320 operated by Lithuania's Heston Airlines to resume flights to the European Union.
Eight used A320s to rebuild fleet
The carrier received YK-AKI and YK-AKJ in August, the first two aircraft in a program covering eight used A320s.
YK-AKI is an A320-214 built in 2009 that previously flew as LY-MAD with Heston Airlines. YK-AKJ is an A320-232 built in 2012 that most recently carried the registration LY-JAM with Heston after earlier service with SilkAir. Both have 156 seats, including 12 in business class.
YK-AKJ subsequently underwent painting before returning to Damascus with the new green and gold identity. The remaining six aircraft are expected to arrive progressively as technical, financial and legal procedures are completed.
The fleet program is linked to the redevelopment of Damascus International Airport, a US$4 billion project involving Qatar's UCC Holding and other international partners. Funding associated with the project also includes support for the acquisition of aircraft for Syrian Airlines.
The company is rebuilding its workforce at the same time. Akkad said it has recently hired around 50 pilots, 35 engineers, 60 cabin crew members and 130 specialized administrative employees. A new reservation platform is scheduled to enter service in November.
