The first international commercial flight since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime landed at Damascus International Airport on Tuesday, with a Qatar Airways flight marking the occasion.

Many passengers were returning Syrians, some for the first time in over a decade.

The airport, rehabilitated with Qatar’s help after years of neglect and damage from Israeli airstrikes, welcomed its first flight amid Syria’s recovery.

Additionally, a test flight from Royal Jordanian Airlines evaluated the airport’s readiness for regular operations, the Associated Press has reported.

This marks a significant moment as diplomatic relations are being restored with Syria’s new de facto authorities.

Written by B.C. Begley