Syria’s Aleppo airport receives first flight in eight years

Syria’s Aleppo airport receives first flight in eight years | Secret Flying

Aleppo Airport restarts flights.

 

Syria’s Aleppo International Airport has resumed scheduled flights for the first time in almost nine years.

 

Since the civil war began in 2012, flights between the capital, Damascus, and Aleppo came to a complete halt.

 

In the early years of fighting, as the opposition took control of huge swathes of the country, President Bashar al-Assad’s tenure seemed to be drawing to a close.

 

However, since Russia’s involvement in supporting Assad, the tide has turned with the Syrian government now controlling nearly all major cities and strategic highways.

 

Wednesday’s flight, carrying Syrian officials and journalists, was an important symbol for the President that life is returning to normal.

 

That simply is not the case for many civilians.

 

According to reports, the Russian-backed Syrian army continued with airstrikes nearby hitting several rebel-held towns and villages.

 

The United Nations estimates that more than 900,000 Syrians have been displaced since December.

 

Many are now reportedly living in tents and under trees in freezing conditions.

 

In a bid to boost the local economy, Syrian Air plans to fly the 40-minute flight between Damascus and Aleppo weekly.