Kuwait-based Syrian businessman Mazen al Tarazi has announced plans to establish a commercial carrier in Syria.

According to the Economist magazine, the ownership of Alwataniya Air (Damascus) will be split between al Tarazi and his sons (85/15) and will have a share capital of SYP70 million (USD136,000).

The US Office of Foreign Asset Control sanctioned al Tarazi in 2015 for his connections with Bashar al Assad's regime.

There are currently three active airlines in Syria - state-owned Syrianair, as well as privately-held Cham Wings Airlines, and FlyDamas - while start-ups include EBLA Airlines and Syrian Wings Airlines.