The Syrian government has signed a memorandum of understanding with a consortium led by Qatari investment fund UCC Holding to secure USD250 million in financing for the acquisition of ten A320 aircraft for flag carrier Syrianair (RB, Damascus).

The announcement on August 7 did not include any additional details as to the specific variants or delivery timelines.

Syrianair currently operates just two A320-200s, which have remained airworthy after years of financial and operational struggles during the rule of ex-President Bashar Al-Assad. A further six units of the type are in long-term storage. Syrianair also wet-leases one unit of the type from Fly Cham, formerly known as Cham Wings Airlines, a privately owned and UAE-backed carrier.

Following the overthrow of Al-Assad in December 2024, the United States and the European Union lifted their respective sanctions on Syrianair, allowing the carrier to source new aircraft. The airline said it planned to add three aircraft to its fleet by the end of August.

The funding is part of a USD4 billion investment commitment which mainly targets the redevelopment of war-damaged Damascus airport and the surrounding infrastructure. Besides UCC Holding's SPV UCC Concessions Investments LLC, the consortium also includes Assets Investments USA LLC (United States), Cengiz İnşaat, Kalyon İnşaat, and TAV Tepe Akfen (all Türkiye).