Riyadh, Sept. 7 (SANA) Syria and Saudi Arabia are seeking to expand air links and deepen cooperation on modernizing Syria’s civil aviation sector, the head of Syria’s General Authority of Civil Aviation, Omar Hosari, said.
Hosari told SANA that talks with Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation President Abdulaziz al-Duailej in Riyadh on Sunday covered regulation, safety, oversight and operations, as well as technical and institutional cooperation.
The talks are part of Syria’s efforts to rebuild its civil aviation system and strengthen national expertise as the sector prepares for further growth, Hosari said.
The two sides are also working to activate an existing open-skies agreement that would allow airlines to increase flights and capacity and introduce new routes based on demand and operational requirements.
Hosari said Syria had invited Saudi aviation specialists to visit Deir Ezzor and Qamishli international airports to assess their operational readiness and infrastructure needs, a step that could pave the way for direct air links with Saudi Arabia.
Syria’s aviation authority is also working to strengthen governance, update regulatory and legislative frameworks and better separate regulatory and oversight functions from airport and aviation operations, he said.
The reforms are aimed at improving efficiency, ensuring independent oversight and bringing the sector into line with international standards.
In August, Hosari and Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh bin Nasser al-Jasser signed a bilateral air transport agreement in Damascus to strengthen civil aviation cooperation between the two countries.
R.H/R.K
