Tourexpi
Türkiye begins renovation of Damascus International Airport
Türkiye
has sent a 25-member technical team to Syria to begin work on restoring
Damascus International Airport, which was severely damaged during the country’s
13-year civil war, the country’s transportation and infrastructure minister
said on Sunday.
In
a written statement, Abdulkadir Uraloglu said the Turkish team, made up of
personnel from the State Airports Directorate, is working to make the airport
operational again.
On
Feb. 7, the team entered Syria safely through the Cilvegozu Border Gate in
Reyhanli in the southern Turkish province of Hatay.
“To
ensure safe flight operations at Damascus International Airport and in Syrian
airspace, we have sent 113 vehicles, devices, and systems in six trucks,” he
said. “Our team will also complete the training of airport personnel.”
According
to Uraloglu, to improve airport security, Türkiye has provided 10 X-ray
machines, four explosive trace detectors, 10 walk-through metal detectors, and
eight handheld metal detectors.
“Our
teams, working in coordination with Syrian officials, have completed the
installation of most of these devices,” he said. “Efforts to improve security
levels continue, and reports are being prepared to address remaining
deficiencies.”
So
far, six X-ray machines and five walk-through metal detectors have been
installed, with work continuing on the remaining security equipment and repairs
to existing devices, he added.
Strengthening
fire safety, emergency response
Türkiye
has also provided two domestically produced Volkan Lion 8x8 combined aircraft
rescue and firefighting vehicles and various firefighting equipment to improve
emergency response at the airport, Uraloglu said.
“These
vehicles will modernize the existing fleet and enhance the airport’s fire
safety classification,” he said. “Syrian personnel have received training on
the new equipment, and our teams are working to bring firefighting operations
up to international standards.”
"Türkiye
will continue our cooperation to strengthen the aviation infrastructure of our
friendly and brotherly country, Syria," he added.
Image Credit: © AA
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