Syrian Pearl Airlines starts operations

Syrian Pearl Airlines officially received its first aircraft a BAe 146-300 with 96 seats on Sunday and started commercial operations yesterday. The new airline is the first private Syrian company to offer scheduled flights.

The airline’s first flight took off from Damascus Airport bound for Aleppo and other initial destinations include Lattakia, Deir El Zor and Qamishle. While regional routes to Iraq, Turkey, Jordan and Cyprus are due to start some time in June.

Syrian Pearl Chairman Abdul Rahman Attar said the company was the first in Syria to enjoy full operating rights across all sectors of the aviation industry. “We are proud to link all parts of Syria to the capital,” he said.

Transport Minister Ya’arub Badr said the launch of the new airline shows that the Syrian economy still offers rich pickings, despite the global downturn. “This proves that investors are still coming in and that the business environment in Syria is positive over the long term,” he said.

He added that the new airline would be complementary and supplementary to Syrian Air, fulfilling some of its functions more effectively. "Syria Pearl Airlines will help Syrian National Airlines meet the increasing demand on the aviation movements to and from Syria, particularly in light of the national airline's inability to cover demand due to the decrease of its fleet."