Russian airline to shut flights to Damascus

Moscow, July 23 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russia's flagship airline Aeroflot will shut down its service to Damascus Aug 6 due to business reasons, an airline official said Monday.

"Yes, we will close this route because of commercial reasons," the official confirmed.

Aeroflot and Syrian Air provide direct flights between Moscow and Damascus. But from August, passengers will have to use other airlines and make one or two layovers to reach the Syrian capital from Russia.

Around 16,000 people have died in Syria since the start of the now almost 18-month uprising against President Bashar al-Assad, says the UN, quoting Syrian rights activists.

--IANS/RIA Novosti

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