Bizav Executive Omar Hosari Leads Syrian Aviation Agency

Syria’s new government recently appointed business aviation executive Omar Hosari as president of the country’s General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA). Hosari, who hails from Syria, is a co-founder of Dubai-based flight operations support specialist UAS International Trip Support.

UAS has not yet commented as to whether Hosari will continue to act at its CEO while running Syria’s aviation safety and air transport regulator. In March, ICAO signed an agreement with GACA to support Syria’s reintegration into the global aviation industry after lifting sanctions against the government of former President Bashar al-Assad.

Hosari confirmed his appointment by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in a recent social media post.  He said he intends to establish a “modern civil aviation system” for the country based on international standards, and that rebuilding the air transport sector will be “a key driver of economic development, investment, and integration between domestic and international efforts."

From the start of a long-running civil war in 2011, Syrian Airlines faced more than a decade of decline due to sanctions restricting imports of aircraft and parts. In February, the European Union suspended transportation sanctions, clearing the way for a $250 million agreement backed by Qatar to finance 10 Airbus A320s for Syrian Airlines. The airline’s fleet has included a Dassault Falcon 900 for government use, as well as a pair of Falcon 20s.