Damascus, Aug. 14 (SANA)Syria’s General Authority for Civil Aviation and Air Transport announced Friday the launch of the first regular direct flights between Germany’s Cologne and Deir Ezzor, with German airlineLEAV Aviationscheduled to operate its first flight on Sept. 1 at a rate of one flight per week.

Omar Hosari, head of the authority, told SANA that the new route forms part of the authority’s plan to reconnect Deir Ezzor with the world, strengthen the city’s position on the international air transport map and open additional destinations for residents of the eastern region.

For the first time in the airport’s commercial operating history, Deir Ezzor International Airport will receive a scheduled flight operated by a European carrier, marking an expansion in Syria’s air transport activity and growing connectivity with Europe.

With the launch of the new route, LEAV Aviation will expand its operations in Syria to include direct flights from Germany to Damascus, Aleppo and Deir Ezzor, strengthening travel and people-to-people links between the two countries.

Hosari affirmed that the authority would continue working to connect Deir Ezzor and the eastern region with the world by opening additional routes and destinations and restoring the city’s position as a key regional center.

Earlier on July 29, the first direct flight operated by German carrier LEAV Aviation arrived at Damascus International Airport after departing from Düsseldorf, Germany, carrying Syrian passengers.