In a series of developments that could reshape Syria’s economic and political landscape, Turkish construction firms Kalyon Insaat and Cengiz Insaat have taken the helm of a $4 billion modernization project at Damascus International Airport, while Syria’s new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, faces mounting pressure from the country’s Alawite minority amid ongoing unrest. The twin narratives—one of ambitious reconstruction, the other of fraught reconciliation—underscore the complexity of Syria’s post-conflict recovery.
On November 27, 2025, as reported by Piri Media, Kalyon Insaat and Cengiz Insaat announced their leadership in a multinational consortium set to transform Syria’s primary aviation hub. The project, which also includes Qatari firm UCC, US-based Assets Investments, and Syrian government partners, is among the most significant infrastructure investments in the region’s recent history. The four-phase initiative aims to boost the airport’s annual passenger capacity to 31 million within a decade—a staggering increase from current levels.
The modernization plans are nothing short of ambitious. According to the project outline, completion of Terminals 1 and 2 by the end of 2026 will enable Damascus International Airport to handle 6 million passengers annually. Terminal 3, scheduled for later completion, will further raise capacity to 13 million. The final phase is expected to bring the figure to 31 million, positioning the airport as a major regional hub. The agreement also includes $250 million in aircraft financing, intended to modernize airline fleets and expand international routes.
Economic impact is central to the project’s appeal. Beyond bricks and mortar, the airport expansion is projected to create over 90,000 direct and indirect jobs, providing a much-needed boost to Syria’s battered labor market. The initiative is also expected to enhance regional trade, tourism, and logistics capabilities, potentially drawing in foreign investment and stimulating broader economic activity.
Murathan Kalyoncu, Chairman of Kalyon Insaat, emphasized the broader significance of the undertaking. "This initiative will significantly contribute to the Syrian economy, regional development, and stability," he stated, as quoted by Piri Media. Kalyoncu’s remarks reflect the Turkish construction sector’s growing international footprint, following the firm’s success with projects like the acclaimed IGA Istanbul Airport. Cengiz Insaat, for its part, brings a track record of delivering large-scale infrastructure across energy and transportation sectors.
Asim Cengiz, Deputy Chairman of Cengiz Insaat, framed the project as a critical step in Syria’s recovery. "It is a key step in bringing Syria's aviation infrastructure back to international standards," Cengiz said. He added that the consortium’s goal is "to create a resilient, modern, and sustainable aviation infrastructure that can meet Syria's future needs," while also supporting "the normalization of life in Syria and its long-term development goals."
The timing of this project is particularly notable given Syria’s ongoing political and social upheaval. Just days before the airport announcement, the country witnessed its largest Alawite protests since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in 2024. According to an article published by SANA on November 28, thousands of Alawites took to the streets in several coastal cities—the heartland of their community—to denounce violence targeting their minority group. The demonstrations were sparked by a series of anti-Alawite incidents, including the killing of more than 1,700 people in coastal Syria in March 2025.
The immediate trigger for the latest unrest was the murder of a Sunni Bedouin couple in Homs, an incident blamed on Alawites after sectarian graffiti was found at the scene. The resulting tensions have underscored the fragility of Syria’s religiously diverse society in the aftermath of civil war and regime change.
President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who rose to power after leading an Islamist insurgency that toppled Assad, responded to the protests with a conciliatory—if cautious—tone. In a phone call with the governor of Latakia, Sharaa acknowledged, "We have observed that there are many legitimate popular demands, although some are politically motivated, to put it politely," as reported by SANA. He further stated, "Our government is fully prepared to listen to all the demands and to seriously consider them."
Sharaa’s ascent has unsettled Syria’s minority populations, particularly given the violence directed at Alawites and ongoing clashes between Sunni Bedouin and Druze communities. Seeking to reassure the country, Sharaa emphasized the importance of unity. "National unity is a fundamental pillar and indispensable," he declared. "The time has now come to put an end to divisions sown in the minds of Syrians for over sixty years."
From the 1963 Baathist coup until Assad’s ouster, Syria was ruled by Alawites, a fact that shaped the country’s sectarian dynamics. Since taking office, Sharaa has made overtures to minorities but has also doubled down on the need for a strong, centralized state. He has rejected demands for Kurdish autonomy and insisted that Syria’s coastal region—home to many Alawites—"cannot be governed by an independent authority, isolated from the rest of the regions," warning that "a Syria without access to the sea would lose a fundamental part of its strategic and economic strength."
Economic recovery remains a daunting task for the new government. After more than a decade of civil war and international sanctions, Syria’s economy is in ruins. The World Bank estimates that reconstruction will require an eye-watering $216 billion. The government is scrambling to secure international funding, with the airport project representing a rare bright spot in an otherwise bleak economic outlook.
Yet, the path forward is fraught with challenges. The airport modernization, while potentially transformative, depends on political stability and sustained international cooperation. The involvement of Turkish, Qatari, and American partners signals a tentative thaw in Syria’s external relations, but also highlights the geopolitical complexities that continue to shape the country’s future.
For now, the juxtaposition of high-profile infrastructure investment and simmering sectarian tensions paints a picture of a nation at a crossroads. The success of the Damascus International Airport project could serve as a catalyst for broader recovery, but only if Syria’s leadership can navigate the demands of its diverse population and the realities of its fractured society.
As Syria embarks on this new chapter, the eyes of the region—and indeed the world—will be watching to see whether reconstruction and reconciliation can move forward hand in hand.