DAMASCUS: Syrian aviation officials met with officials and representatives from Saudi Ground Services (SGS) to explore a possible partnership for ground handling services at Syrian airports.

Authority Chief Omar Al-Hosari met with Mohammed Bin AbdulKarim Mazi, the SGS chief executive, and other company officials to explore opportunities for technical and operational collaboration, state news agency SANA reported.

SGS operates at 28 airports across the Kingdom and serves domestic and international carriers.

Discussions involved upgrading operational efficiency and aligning airport services with international standards, SANA said.

Saudi Arabia and Syria early in February signed an agreement to launch 45 development initiatives, expanding economic cooperation as the two countries step up efforts to rebuild Syria’s economy.

Saudi carrier flynas also signed a pact with the Syrian aviation officials to establish a new commercial airline under the name flynas Syria.

The new carrier will be a joint venture, with 51 percent ownership held by the Syrian General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport and 49 percent by flynas. Operations are expected to commence in the fourth quarter of this year.