Syria and Iraq Resume Direct Flights to Russia

Aug. 4, 2026 Damascus International Airport. Aziz1005 Syria and Iraq have resumed direct flights to Russia, restoring air links that were suspended amid political upheaval in Damascus and the war in Iran, Russian media reported. The renewed services come as most Western governments continue to advise their citizens against visiting Syria and large parts of Iraq because of the risk of terrorism, armed conflict and kidnapping. Syrian Airlines has begun selling tickets for flights between Damascus and Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport, marking the first resumption of direct air travel between the two countries since the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, RTVI reported. The first flight is scheduled for Aug. 16, with services subsequently operating once a week on Sundays. The journey will take around four hours and 50 minutes, with economy-class fares starting at about $350. Iraqi Airways separately resumed flights between Baghdad and Moscow on Tuesday following a suspension prompted by the closure of airspace across parts of the Middle East during the war in Iran. The airline will operate two flights a week. Iraq’s ambassador to Moscow, Abdul-Karim Hashim Mustafa, said the country was safe for tourists. “Restaurants are open until 2 a.m. So life is absolutely safe,” he said when asked about the prospects for attracting Russian tourists. Despite the restoration of air links, the United States, Britain, Germany, France, Canada and Australia continue to warn their citizens against travel to Syria and Iraq, citing terrorism, armed clashes, kidnapping, political instability and limited consular assistance. Warnings for Syria remain particularly stringent, with Western governments advising against all travel to the country. Large parts of Iraq are also still considered unsafe for visitors. Read this article in Russian at The Moscow Times' Russian service. Read more about: Airlines , Syria , Iraq , Travel Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more World Airline Body Calls for Post-War Return to Russian Airspace Western airlines should prepare to return to Russian airspace when the war in Ukraine has ended, the head of the global airline trade group said Tuesday... Russia to Debut ‘Flight to Nowhere’ Cooped-up passengers looking to recreate the travel experience will be able to spend 1.5 hours in the air from Moscow to Moscow. Russia to Resume Flights With Britain, Turkey, Tanzania From Aug. 1 Russia has not yet reopened its borders to all foreigners, however. Terrorist Recruiters Could Face Life Sentences in Russia Amidst an increase in the risk of terrorist attacks by returning militants