First flight in 13 years: Turkish Airlines resumes Istanbul-Damascus flights

The first scheduled flight by Turkish Airlines to Damascus, the capital of Syria, after a 13-year break was operated by a wide-body aircraft with flight code "TK 846", which departed from Istanbul Airport.

FIRST FLIGHT COMPLETED AFTER YEARS

Some of the passengers who arrived at Istanbul Airport in the morning held celebrations in front of the boarding gate.

Many Syrians experienced the joy of returning to the country they were forced to leave years ago. Some passengers were seen carrying the Syrian revolution flag.

A total of 349 passengers were boarded onto the plane after ticket and passport controls to travel to Damascus International Airport.

One of the passengers, Fatma Zehra, told members of the press that she came to Turkey when she was 2 years old and that she is very happy to be returning to the land where she was born with her family.

Stating that she is now 14 years old, Zehra said, "I had never seen my country. I am very excited because I will see it for the first time. We will go from Damascus to Aleppo. I will see my grandmother there."

Another passenger, Ahmet Kiraz, said that he came to Turkey in 2012, where they built a life by studying and working.

Pointing out that they never expected such a moment, Kiraz said, "We were thinking that we had no hope of returning with our family. When things happened all of a sudden, we were very happy. I am returning to my country today on the first flight and I am recording every moment. I feel like I am in a dream. May God be pleased with everyone in Turkey."

LASTED 2 HOURS

The Turkish Airlines plane, which departed from Istanbul Airport at 09:00, is scheduled to land at Damascus International Airport after a flight of approximately 2 hours.