🖐 In this blog post we’ll share all drone law links & known regulation around recreational & commercial drone use in Syria (Damascus). Give a 👍 at the end of this post if you enjoyed it & feel free to ask any questions or share your experience in The Forum. Keep in mind that the content below is updated to the best of our ability & does not replace official sources & your own research.
Recreational vs Commercial drone use in Syria
Syria does not seem to differentiate commercial & recreational drone use - see our post to differentiate recreational vs commercial drone usage. Local rules are really strict, if not to say impossible & you will need to ask for a permission to fly your drone in Syria.
🚨 For the moment, drone use is under the responsibility of the Syrian Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA), & they can be contacted via:
Email: info@scaa.sy
Phone: (+ 963) 11 333 381 5
Can I travel with my drone to Syria?
🚨 Drones are not welcome in Syria without prior permission. Damascus international airport is infamous for their bag checks & it seems hard to go through without being asked to open them so you better declare it. Be aware upon return that there is a very little chance that your drone passes again the on boarding x-rays. In both scenarios your drone gets found:
upon arrival, it will be confiscated and at best stored in your arrival airport, if you want to retrieve it you can hope such by departing from the same airport.
upon departure (from Damascus airport), it will be ceased & you might face heavier sanctions as you imported illegally a drone in the county.
🚨 Be aware of the airline you purchase to travel as some main ones will only accept your drone on-board if its batteries are detached & placed in a firecase during travel time. Most airlines will have a battery voltage limit based on the recommendation of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). You can find more info about a specific airline here.
How to retrieve my drone at Syrian airport customs?
First things first, you should not bring it with you!
If you decided to go ahead nevertheless, we advise you to declare it upon arrival to avoid complications if found upon your departure time.
If your drone does not confiscated by then, return from the same airport as they' essentially stored your drone upon your return.
A couple of days prior the end of your holiday, you might want to call the airport customs to inform them of your return time so they have your drone ready for you.
On your return day, allow extra time in case they "forgot" your call.
Where can I fly my drone in Syria?
🚨 Do not fly your drone if you do not have a permit.
What do I risk for flying a drone illegally in Syria?
The amount & scope of the fine will depend on the nature & severity of your infraction. The judges will also evaluate if you intentionally committed the infraction and/or if you had any commercial purposes to do such. With this in mind, you risk one or a combination of:
a fine
jail time
your drone cease
🚨 The sad news is that even if you were able to fly your drone in Syria, you will might just get a scene of destruction in your lens..
✅ Please leave a comment or update the Forum when you receive news and/or gain experience with your drone in Syria!
Disclaimer: Although great care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information researched, we take no responsibility for any loss, harm or damage caused as a direct or indirect consequence of relying on this information. It is your responsibility to seek advice from qualified local & relevant authorities for needed information about local drone regulations.
Source
Syrian Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA),
Other resource