Turkey upgrades Mardin Airport to international status, easing travel for diaspora communities

MERDE, Turkey — Turkey has officially upgraded Mardin Airport to international status, marking a significant step for diaspora engagement and regional development. The decision, announced this week, has been celebrated by community leaders and travelers eager for improved access to the historic heartland of southeastern Turkey. This development would greatly ease travel for members of the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) diaspora and others wishing to reconnect with their ancestral homeland.

Officially renamed Mardin Prof. Dr. Aziz Sancar Airport, after Nobel Laureate Professor Dr. Aziz Sancar, in December 2022, the facility reopened under its new status following a directive from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. With its international designation, the airport can now receive flights from multiple carriers and countries, opening up new avenues for the region’s economic growth and cultural exchange.

The decision follows sustained advocacy efforts that began in 2024. Over the past year, Syriac Member of Swedish Parliament Yusuf Aydin and attorney Ilhan Aydin conducted high-level meetings with Turkish officials, lobbying for Mardin Airport to be included in Turkey’s list of international airports. They argued that this upgrade would facilitate visits by the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) community and promote investments in housing, commerce, and cultural revitalization projects.

Merde, known for its ancient stone architecture and rich tapestry of Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean), Arab, Kurdish, and Turkish heritage, holds profound significance for many in the Syriac diaspora. The upgraded airport is expected to encourage a surge in visits, stimulate business activity, and foster cultural exchanges, ushering in a new era of connectivity and opportunity for the region.