Düsseldorf, July 29 (SANA)German carrierLEAV Aviationlaunched its first scheduled flight from Düsseldorf to Damascus on Wednesday, restoring direct service between the two cities after a hiatus of nearly 14 years.

The inaugural flight marks the start of the airline’s scheduled operations to Syria and is expected to strengthen air links betweenSyriaandGermany,Omar Hosari, head of Syria’s General Authority ofCivil Aviation and Air Transport, said.

The flight was due to arrive at Damascus International Airport later Wednesday.

The departure ceremony at Düsseldorf Airport was attended by Mohammed Baraa Shukri, chargé d’affaires of the Syrian Embassy in Berlin.

On Monday, Syria’s General Authority of Civil Aviation announced that two German airlines would resume direct flights to Syria in a move aimed at strengthening air connectivity between the two countries and expanding the network of destinations served by Syrian airports.

The authority said on its Telegram channel that LEAV Aviation would begin scheduled direct flights between Düsseldorf and Damascus on July 29, followed by services between Cologne and Aleppo on Aug. 1.

It added that Sundair would launch scheduled direct flights betweenBerlinand Damascus on Aug. 1, while its direct service between Berlin and Aleppo is scheduled to begin on Oct. 1.

According to the authority, the new routes are expected to provide travelers with additional travel options, strengthen air traffic between Syria and Germany, and expand the network of international destinations served by Syrian airports.