The United States has removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism and moved to lift a restriction on Syrian-owned or controlled flights to and from the US, clearing another legal barrier to the country’s aviation recovery.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio formally rescinded the terrorism designation on August 24, 2026, after a required 45-day congressional review. Syria had been on the list since 1979.
“This action unlocks new potential for Syria’s economic revitalization and progress,” Rubio said in a statement announcing the decision.
The State Department said it took the action in recognition of commitments made by the government of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to distance the country from international terrorism.
The State Department also waived remaining restrictions imposed under the Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination Act, including a prohibition on Syrian-owned or controlled air transportation to or from the United States.
Congress was notified of the waiver on August 24, and it will take effect 20 days later, according to updated guidance from the US Treasury Department.
The waiver does not give any Syrian airline immediate approval to begin US flights. A carrier seeking to serve the market would still need the applicable economic, safety, security and operational approvals.
The broader policy change could have a more immediate effect by reducing the sanctions and compliance risks faced by aircraft manufacturers, parts suppliers, leasing companies, insurers, banks and other firms considering business in Syria.
Aircraft and parts controls remain
Washington had already dismantled most of its broad economic sanctions against Syria before removing the country from the terrorism list.
US President Donald Trump issued an executive order on June 30, 2025, terminating the national emergency that supported the former Syria sanctions program. Congress repealed the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act on December 18, 2025, removing its mandatory sanctions.
Targeted sanctions remain in place against former President Bashar al-Assad and his associates, human-rights abusers, Captagon traffickers and other sanctioned individuals and organizations.
The US Commerce Department also eased export controls covering Syria on September 2, 2025. Most formerly prohibited items can now be exported or reexported under the Syria Peace and Prosperity license exception, provided the transaction does not involve a restricted end use or end user.
The rule also expanded license exceptions covering replacement parts, aircraft components and certain temporary aircraft operations.
Some aircraft, components, software and technology listed on the Commerce Control List still require a US export license. The Commerce Department said applications supporting commercial aviation are reviewed under a presumption of approval when the items would not make a significant contribution to Syria’s military capabilities or its ability to support international terrorism.
Commerce Department guidance provides the current licensing rules. The Treasury Department said further changes to the Export Administration Regulations are expected following the removal of Syria’s terrorism designation.
Syrian air links expand
Syria has already begun restoring air service lost during more than a decade of war and international isolation.
Syrian Airlines resumed service between Moscow and Damascus on August 16, according to Syria’s state-run SANA news agency. SANA said the carrier had returned to Amsterdam on July 2 and resumed weekly flights to Madinah on August 11.
Direct flights between Berlin and Damascus also resumed on August 15 when a Sundair aircraft arrived in the Syrian capital. Syrian aviation officials said LEAV Aviation planned to begin weekly flights between Cologne and Deir Ezzor on September 1, following an air transport agreement between Syria and Germany.
Deir Ezzor International Airport resumed commercial operations on August 5 with Syrian Airlines flights from Damascus and Kuwait. Jazeera Airways was scheduled to begin direct Kuwait-Deir Ezzor service three days later, according to SANA.
Cuba, Iran and North Korea are now the only countries remaining on the US list of state sponsors of terrorism.