Damascus International Airport

Damascus International Airport is the international airport of Damascus, the capital of Syria. Inaugurated in the mid-1970s, it also is the country's busiest airport. In 2010, an estimated 5.5 million passengers used the airport, an increase of more than 50% since 2004.HistorySince the onset of the Syrian Civil War, the airport and the road leading to it have been closed intermittently and most international airlines have ceased flights. Several airlines such as Emirates and EgyptAir with former regular service to Damascus have cancelled their flights to Damascus. British Airways stopped flying to Damascus in May 2012 as well, while Royal Jordanian stopped in July 2012. In November and December 2012, intense fighting was reported around the airport, prompting a two-day closure.FacilitiesThe airport features two duty-free outlets. The departures hall also includes an in-house coffee shop, several souvenir shops, three restaurants, and a lounge for first and business class passengers.Accidents and incidentsOn 24 April 1954, SNCASE Languedoc SU-AHZ of Misr Air was written off when the starboard undercarriage collapsed on landing.On 10 November 1970, a Douglas DC-3 of Saudia on a flight from Amman Civil Airport, Jordan to King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh Saudi Arabia was hijacked and diverted to Damascus Airport.On 20 August 1975, ČSA Flight 540, crashed while on approach to Damascus International Airport. Out of the 128 passengers and crew on board, there were only two survivors.