Saudi low-cost carrier flynas will launch direct scheduled flights between Damascus and Madinah on 19 November, giving Syrian travellers a new direct link to Islam's second holiest city.

Syria's General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport announced the route on its Telegram channel, saying it would widen travel options for passengers and strengthen air links between Syria and Saudi Arabia, according to the state news agency SANA. The SANA headline was also carried by the agency's press listings on Tuesday: "Saudi airline flynas to launch direct Damascus-Madinah flights on November 19."

A new link for pilgrims

Madinah, home to the Prophet's Mosque, is a major destination for pilgrims, many of whom combine a visit there with Umrah in Makkah. The new service will give Syrian travellers a direct option for that journey without routing through a third city.

The new service follows flynas's inaugural flight from Riyadh to Damascus on 19 April, which restored the Saudi carrier's presence in the Syrian capital after years of absence.

Damascus airport keeps rebuilding

Damascus International Airport now lists 23 destinations in 22 cities across 14 countries, and 17 airlines operated there in October, according to the civil aviation authority. More carriers are lining up: a delegation from Egypt's Air Cairo visited Damascus International Airport on 9 November to review procedures and assess the requirements for flights between Syria and Egypt.

Syria's air network has been rebuilding steadily since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. flydubai launched daily flights to Aleppo alongside its three daily Damascus services, Germany's LEAV Aviation flew the first European route to Deir ez-Zor, and work has begun on rehabilitating Latakia airport.

flyadeal already flies the route

flynas will not be alone on the route. Saudia Group's low-cost carrier flyadeal has already launched twice-weekly non-stop flights between Madinah and Damascus, QNC News reported, with the service in effect since 1 November. The flyadeal flights operate on Sundays and Wednesdays using Airbus A320neo aircraft, complementing the airline's existing Jeddah to Damascus service, which runs three times a week.

Tickets for the flyadeal Madinah to Damascus flights are on sale through the airline's mobile app, its website and travel agents. The arrival of a second Saudi carrier on the same route within weeks underlines how quickly demand for travel between Syria and Saudi Arabia is growing, driven by pilgrims, family visits and business travel as Syria reconnects with the region.