A man takes a picture after painting the flag of the Syrian revolution on an aircraft at Damascus international airport as the new Syrian authorities prepare to reopen it, on December 16, 2024. Damascus's airspace reopened on December 12, the airport director told AFP, after a closure since December 8, when president Bashar al-Assad's government fell. Syrian Airlines aircraft maintenance director said takeoffs and landing would be decided by the transport ministry, adding that the carrier hoped to "expand the airport, enlarge the fleet and add more international destinations". (Photo by OMAR HAJ KADOUR / AFP)