Omar al-Husari, head of Syria’s General Authority for Civil Aviation and Air Transport, announced on Tuesday 13 October 2026 that a plan was being prepared to convert Palmyra military airport into a civilian airport specialising in tourism services for the ancient city, in co-operation with the ministries of culture and tourism and Homs Governorate.
Palmyra airport’s operating timeline and international certification requirements
Al-Husari said the initial vision suggested the airport could begin operating «in good shape» within six months to a year. He added that securing international certification would take longer because of technical requirements, including the provision of navigation aids and radars, allowing it to become an international airport rather than one limited to domestic flights.
Al-Husari made the remarks during a tour of Palmyra airport attended by Culture Minister Muhammad Saleh, Tourism Minister Mazen al-Salhani and Homs Governor Marhaf al-Naasan. The tour was held to review the airport’s condition and discuss the requirements for converting it from a military facility into a civilian airport specialising in tourism. Al-Husari stressed the need to support airports and promote tourism activity in Syria, given the substantial revenues it could generate.
Preparing Palmyra to serve visitors and the viability of Homs airports
He said work was currently under way in Palmyra to provide the services needed for tourism activity and facilitate visitors’ arrival. Regarding the other airports in Homs Governorate, al-Husari denied that there was currently any plan to convert another military airport for civilian use, attributing this to economic viability considerations.
It said it would update the study and develop the plan to reflect current conditions and the requirements of the next phase, helping facilitate visitors’ access to the city of Palmyra and its historic and archaeological sites, while strengthening its tourism potential. The Palmyra airport project coincides with a similar plan to convert Mezzeh military airport into an airport for private and business aviation.
Al-Husari had described the two projects as part of an integrated development vision to diversify forms of aviation in Syria, ease operational pressure on Damascus International Airport and create a specialised investment and commercial hub.
