|
DAMASCUS, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- The International Airport of Syria's coastal city of Latakia has stopped receiving international flights into the country as of Monday morning, due to the intensity of the air traffic in the military section of that airport, which has become an airbase of the Russian air force, a source told Xinhua.
"The Basel al-Assad airport has stopped receiving international flights due to the intensity of the air traffic by the Russian war jets in the military part of that airport," the source said on condition of anonymity. He added that the domestic flights are still allowed into the airport.
Meanwhile, the pro-government Sham FM radio cited an official source as confirming that the decision came against the backdrop of the "air traffic congestion resulting from the takeoff and landing of military aircraft in the adjacent military airport."
It said the decision will last for 90 days, adding that the official Syrian Arab Airlines has informed its customer to divert their flights to the Damascus International Airport.
Basel al-Assad airport in Latakia has for long been divided between a civilian part and a military one.
The Russian air force, which has started strikes in Syria two weeks ago, has stationed in the military side and turned it into a base for its warplanes.
