(Redirected from Bassel Al-Assad International Airport)


Latakia International Airport
Summary
Airport typePublic / Military
OwnerGovernment of Syria
Operator General Authority of Civil Aviation
ServesLatakia, Syria
LocationJableh
Opened1983
Hub forSyrian Air
Time zoneAST (UTC+03:00)
Elevation AMSL157 ft / 48 m
Coordinates35°24′03″N 35°56′55″E / 35.40083°N 35.94861°E / 35.40083; 35.94861
Map
LTK is located in Syria
LTK
LTK
Location of airport in Syria
Map
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
17/35 2,797 9,175 Asphalt
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 serving Latakia,[1] the principal port city of Syria.

History

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Until 2024 the airport was officially known as Bassel Al-Assad International Airport (Arabic: مطار باسل الأسد الدولي), named for Bassel al-Assad (1962–1994), son of former Syrian President Hafez al-Assad and brother of his successor Bashar al-Assad.

In 2025, negotiations between Syria and Russia 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 the Khmeimim Air Base (occupied by Russian forces) and ongoing security concerns. Moscow also demanded official recognition of its military presence at the Khmeimim and Tartus bases, further complicating the talks.[3] As of June 2025, the airport remains closed to civilian traffic.

Facilities

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The passenger terminal opened in 1983; the tower was operational by 1989.[3] The airport is at an elevation of 157 ft (48 m)[1] above mean sea level. It has one runway designated 17/35 with an asphalt surface measuring 2,797 m × 45 m (9,177 ft × 148 ft).[1]

Airlines and destinations

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As of June 2025, Latakia International Airport is closed and has no civilian flights operating from it.

Military use

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Main article: Khmeimim Air Base

Adjacent to the civilian airport buildings is the Russian Khmeimim airbase, the principal Russian airbase being used in the air campaign in Syria since 30 September 2015. The name of the air base Хмеймим has been also transliterated as Hemeimeem Air Base and Hmeymin Air Base.[4] Among the Russian servicemen posted, there were as of early October 2015 around 600 members of the Russian Naval 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] An Su-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 Antonov An-124 and Ilyushin Il-76 transport aircraft. It has parking locations[clarification needed] for more than 50 military aircraft including Su-24s, Su-25s, and Su-34s.[citation needed] In addition, the base is home to T-90 tanks, BTR-82 vehicles, artillery and Mi-24 gunship helicopters and Mi-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 via Tartus harbor 50 km away.[citation needed] On 26 November 2015, it was reported that S-400 missile system had been deployed by Russia.[9]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Airport information for OSLK[usurped] from DAFIF (effective October 2006)
  2. ^ Airport information for LTK at Great Circle Mapper. Source: DAFIF (effective October 2006).
  3. ^ a b https://lca.logcluster.org/syrian-arab-republic-223-latakia-international-airport
  4. ^ "Press-tour of the Russian and foreign Media representatives to the Hmeymim airbase in Syria". Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. 11 November 2015. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  5. ^ Myers, Steven Lee; Schmitt, Eric (14 October 2015). "Russian Military Uses Syria as Proving Ground, and West Takes Notice". The New York Times. Online. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
  6. ^ Rob Crilly (5 September 2015). "Russia 'is building military base in Syria'". The Telegraph. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  7. ^ Luis Martinez (9 September 2015). "Russian build-up continues at base in Syria, causing concern among US officials". ABC News. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  8. ^ "Минобороны РФ: российский Су-24 сбили при возвращении на авиабазу в Сирии" (in Russian). Russian News Agency TASS. 24 November 2015. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  9. ^ "Россия развернула в Сирии ЗРК С-400". Kommersant. 26 November 2015. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
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