Rebuilding Syria's civil aviation sector could take between three to five years, a senior official of the global airline industry's trade association has said, a crucial step to developing the country's international trade and tourism links a year after the toppling of the Assad regime.
Kamil Al Awadhi, regional vice president for Africa and Middle East at the International Air Transport Association (Iata), told journalists that resources, expertise and external assistance are required to rehabilitate the sector more quickly.
“Syria is still getting itself together. I wouldn't say that the progress has been impressive. It's not at a standstill, but it could be better,” he said.
The necessary work includes updating regulations, developing airport infrastructure, improving air navigation services, upgrading and purchasing new equipment, training the workforce and securing investment.
“This is generally three to five years' worth of work and requires a lot of investment,” Mr Al Awadhi said, adding there is a lack of funds to support all these projects.
The Syrian authorities are already aware of the level of work required to develop the sector, he added.
“They know it, which is a very good start. If they don't know this, then it would be worrying. But they know what they need, it's just going to take time to implement all this.”
The US Congress last week moved closer to repealing the Caesar Act, a set of tough US sanctions imposed on Syria under its former leader Bashar Al Assad.
That move marks a “major turning point” for Syria's economic trajectory and the start of a new phase that reopens doors to a “national resurgence”, Omar Al Hosari, head of Syria's Civil Aviation and Air Transport Authority said on December 11.
“With the easing of restrictions, opportunities are renewed in vital sectors, foremost among them the civil aviation sector – from modernising airports, developing fleets, attracting investments and expanding the network of air connectivi
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