Damascus, Aug. 15 (SANA)The first direct flight fromBerlinarrived atDamascus International Airporton Saturday after a nearly 14-year interruption, marking the resumption of direct air links between the Syrian and German capitals.

The flight was operated by German carrierSundair.

Omar Hosari, director general of theCivil Aviationand Air Transport Authority, said the resumption would facilitate travel for Syrians living in Germany and signaled the return of European airlines to the Syrian market and renewed confidence in Syria’s aviation sector.

“We are working to rebuild Syria’s air connectivity network gradually and in a well-planned manner, and the return of direct flights between Berlin and Damascus is another step along this path,” Hosari said.

He said Syria was working with airlines to expand European connections, with the aim of establishing a growing network linking Syrian airports with major European cities.

Hosari said Syrian Airlines would announce several new European destinations in the coming days, with operational and regulatory procedures being finalized.

He added that weekly direct flights between Cologne and Deir ez-Zor, operated by German carrier LEAV Aviation, would begin on September 1.

Syria and Germany signed a final air transport agreement at the Conference Palace in Damascus on July 16, paving the way for the resumption of flights between the two countries.