Latakia International Airport | |||||||||||
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 Satellite imagery of Latakia International Airport | |||||||||||
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| Summary | |||||||||||
| Airport type | Public / Military | ||||||||||
| Owner | Government of Syria | ||||||||||
| Operator | General Authority of Civil Aviation | ||||||||||
| Serves | Latakia, Syria | ||||||||||
| Location | Jableh | ||||||||||
| Opened | 1983 | ||||||||||
| Hub for | Syrian Air | ||||||||||
| Time zone | AST (UTC+03:00) | ||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 157 ft / 48 m | ||||||||||
| Coordinates | 35°24′03″N35°56′55″E / 35.40083°N 35.94861°E /35.40083; 35.94861 | ||||||||||
| Map | |||||||||||
  LTK Location of airport in Syria | |||||||||||
| Runways | |||||||||||
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| Source:DAFIF[1][2] | |||||||||||
Latakia International Airport (IATA:LTK,ICAO:OSLK) (Arabic:مطار اللاذقية الدولي,romanized: Maṭār al-Lādhiqīyah al-Duwalī) is an international airport servingLatakia,[1] the principal port city ofSyria.
Until 2024 the airport was officially known asBassel Al-Assad International Airport (Arabic:مطار باسل الأسد الدولي), named forBassel al-Assad (1962–1994), son of former Syrian PresidentHafez al-Assad and brother of his successorBashar al-Assad.
In 2025, negotiations between Syria andRussia stalled over control and the reopening of Latakia International Airport. Despite efforts by Damascus since late January, Russia refused to hand over the facility due to its proximity to theKhmeimim Air Base (operated by Russian forces) and ongoing security concerns. Moscow also demanded official recognition of its military presence at the Khmeimim andTartus bases, further complicating the talks.[3] As of June 2025, the airport remains closed to civilian traffic.
Thepassenger terminal opened in 1983; thetower was operational by 1989.[3] The airport is at an elevation of 157 ft (48 m)[1] abovemean sea level. It has onerunway designated 17/35 with anasphalt surface measuring 2,797 m × 45 m (9,177 ft × 148 ft).[1]
As of February 2026, Latakia International Airport is closed and has no civilian flights operating from it.
Adjacent to the civilian airport buildings is the RussianKhmeimim airbase, the principal Russian airbase being used in theair campaign in Syria since 30 September 2015. The name of the air baseХмеймим has been alsotransliterated asHemeimeem Air Base andHmeymin Air Base.[4] Among the Russian servicemen posted, there were as of early October 2015 around 600 members of the RussianNaval Infantry, whose role is to help provide security for the airbase.[5]
Russian military activity at Latakia Airport was revealed by American intelligence officials by early September 2015, with U.S. officials expressing concern.[6][7] AnSu-24 shot down by Turkish fighters on 24 November 2015 was said to be on its way back to Khmeimim.[8]
The base, operative since 30 September 2015, can handle AntonovAn-124 and IlyushinIl-76 transport aircraft. It has parking locations[clarification needed] for more than 50 military aircraft includingSu-24s,Su-25s, andSu-34s.[citation needed] In addition, the base is home toT-90 tanks,BTR-82 vehicles, artillery andMi-24 gunship helicopters andMi-8 support choppers. Air-conditioned accommodations were erected within a few months in 2015.[citation needed] Other new structures include storage facilities, field kitchens, and refueling stations.[citation needed] Supplies are flown in from Russia or shipped viaTartus harbor 50 km away.[citation needed] On 26 November 2015, it was reported thatS-400 missile system had been deployed by Russia.[9]
