UAE Suspends All Flights to and from Damascus International Airport
January 8, 2025, 5:23 pm

UAE Suspends All Flights to and from Damascus International Airport

الخطوط الجوية السورية \ تعبيرية \ متداول

The United Arab Emirates has announced the suspension of all flights to and from Damascus International Airport without providing details regarding the reasons, despite having previously expressed approval to resume flights after the overthrow of the Assad regime.

In this context, Ahmed Abbas Agha, Director of Commercial Affairs and Marketing at the Syrian Air Corporation, published a circular stating that the UAE has halted operations to Damascus Airport, confirming that all tickets booked on the corporation’s flights will be exempt from penalties upon refund.

Agha clarified that travelers will be informed of any updates regarding the resumption of flights with the UAE. Local travelers confirmed that they received notifications about the cancellation of their flights with "Ajnha al-Sham" and "Syrian Airlines" to the UAE. They also received emails containing an official circular confirming the cancellations, along with promises to update them on any future developments.

One of the flights operated by the Syrian Air Corporation took off yesterday, Tuesday, to Sharjah Airport but returned to Damascus after the official announcement of the airport's reopening to international flights following the fall of the Assad regime. Two days ago, "Ajnha al-Sham" announced that it would start operating daily flights from Damascus Airport to Sharjah Airport and vice versa, confirming that it would gradually add a flight schedule for other destinations.

So far, no official clarifications have been issued by the UAE regarding the reason for this decision, and the Syrian side has not commented on the matter. It is worth noting that Syrian Airlines is responsible for transporting passengers to and from the UAE, as official Emirates Airlines has not been operating in this capacity since the previous regime's rule.

This decision comes two days after a visit by a Syrian delegation from the new Syrian administration to the UAE, which included Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaibani, Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra, and Intelligence Chief Anas Khattab, on an Arab tour that began in Qatar and ended in Jordan.

The reception of the Syrian delegation by UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan sparked widespread controversy, described as "inappropriate." The UAE flag was displayed at the front of the hall where the meeting was held, while Al Nahyan was wearing sneakers. Others pointed out that the UAE might be expressing frustration regarding events in Syria due to its previous close relations with the regime. Meanwhile, Emirati Twitter users mentioned that Minister Al Nahyan often hosts political figures in informal settings, indicating an attempt to show friendly relations with visitors.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.