The Council of the European Union has opted to relax sanctions on Syria following the overthrow of the government of President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. As part of this opening, flag carrier Syrianair (RB, Damascus) has been removed from the bloc's sanctions list.
"The EU aims to facilitate engagement with Syria, its people, and businesses, in key areas of energy and transport, as well as to facilitate financial and banking transactions associated with such sectors and those needed for humanitarian and reconstruction purposes," the institution representing the governments of EU member states said.
The state-owned flag carrier was designated by the EU in 2012. The United States sanctioned Syrianair in 2013 and has yet to lift the designation.
The airline operates eight A320-200s and two A340-300s, although only two A320s are currently active.
The country's largest privately-owned airline, Cham Wings Airlines (SAW, Damascus), remains under EU sanctions.
