New Route of the Day (1 August 2026): SunExpress between Antalya and Aleppo
Turkish leisure carrier SunExpress commenced flights between Antalya and Aleppo on Saturday 1 August. The 585-kilometre route will be maintained 2-weekly with the 737-800 aircraft. The airline is the sole operator between the two cities.
Flight XQ206 departs Antalya at 08:20 local time, arriving in Aleppo at 09:50. The return service, operating as flight XQ207, takes off at 10:40 local time, arriving back in Türkiye at 12:15.
SunExpress is one of three carriers to have launched new flights to Aleppo on 1 August.
What they said
Omar Al-Husari, President of the Syrian Civil Aviation and Air Transport Authority, said: “Aleppo International Airport welcoming the inaugural flights of three international airlines in a single day reflects the accelerating recovery of Syria’s civil aviation sector and the airport’s return to its role as a regional air transport hub. The launch of these routes is about more than simply introducing new flights. It reflects growing confidence among international airlines in Syria’s civil aviation sector and demonstrates the success of efforts to reconnect the country with the regional and international air transport network. Today’s achievement marks the beginning of a wider effort to attract more airlines and expand the range of destinations served”.
Aleppo boosts international connectivity
Aleppo was one of the cities hardest hit during Syria’s long-running civil war. However, as the country gradually restores its international connectivity, August 1 marked an important milestone. In addition to SunExpress launching flights from Antalya, flynas inaugurated services from Riyadh, while LEAV Aviation commenced regular charter operations from Cologne.
More than a dozen airlines now serve Aleppo, primarily from destinations across the Middle East. Romania’s Dan Air became the first European carrier to launch flights to the Syrian city, operating from Bucharest.
In March 2025, Aleppo Airport welcomed its first commercial flight following the fall of the Assad regime, after reopening to air traffic. The airport handled 226,260 passengers during 2025.
