The first direct flight from Berlin to Damascus in nearly 14 years departed on Saturday, marking the resumption of another air link between Germany and Syria, the Syrian state-run SANA news agency reported.

The flight, operated by German carrier Sundair, departed from Berlin Airport for Damascus International Airport in the presence of Syria’s charge d’affaires in Berlin, Mohammed Baraa Shukri.

The flight comes as Syria moves to expand its international air connections.

Omar al-Husari, head of Syria’s General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport, announced on Friday that German carrier LEAV Aviation will begin direct scheduled flights between Cologne and Deir ez-Zor on September 1, operating one flight per week.

The new route follows the resumption of flights between Berlin and Damascus.

Syria and Germany signed a final air transport agreement in Damascus on July 16, paving the way for the resumption of direct flights between the two countries.