In a significant development, the Syrian General Civil Aviation Authority has formally taken control of Qamishli Airport in the northeastern province of Hasakah on Saturday. This handover was part of an agreement reached between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The first Syrian civil aircraft arrived at Qamishli Airport from Damascus, marking a noteworthy moment since the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad's regime. This event signifies a return to normalcy in a region that has been heavily impacted by conflict since 2011.

The authority announced via Telegram that a technical and administrative delegation visited the airport to review its operational, technical, and administrative capabilities. The discussions focused on methods to resume airport operations according to the highest international aviation standards. This comes at a crucial time, as Qamishli Airport is the only airport serving northeastern Syria and has been a vital connection for residents, facilitating regular flights to and from Damascus for years before the ongoing conflict disrupted services.

Omar Al-Hosari, head of the authority, described the transfer of the airport as an important institutional step in consolidating airport management under state oversight. He emphasized the commitment to operating the airport in accordance with international safety and efficiency standards. The resumption of operations at Qamishli Airport is expected to improve connectivity for local residents and restore a crucial transport link in a region that has seen significant upheaval over the past decade.