Flying Under the Radar, from Syria to Europe

Owned by the Greek-Lebanese Hallaq family, Air Mediterranean became the first airline in over a decade to operate direct commercial flights between Europe and Syria in 2023. Mahmoud Al-Dj, a businessman with links to the Assad regime, played a key role in this operation. He was sentenced to death in Libya for drug trafficking through his travel agency, FreeBird.

In January 2024, while EU sanctions were being imposed, Al-Dj, FreeBird, and Air Mediterranean continued to operate within European airspace unhindered, signing a new operational agreement with Forlì Airport in Italy.

Following the fall of the Assad regime in June 2025, Air Mediterranean resumed its routes to Syria. The company's new business partner is Majd Al-Deiri, a Syrian national who is wanted by the FBI for arms trafficking and money laundering.

How could the authorities in Greece, Italy, and Europe overlook the security risks posed by Air Mediterranean?

Thanks to over a year of research, the investigation has accessed corporate documents and private records from Greek and Syrian authorities, as well as testimonies from confidential sources. The research has exposed serious gaps in EU and national aviation oversight. It has also revealed the extent to which Air Mediterranean has cooperated with sanctioned and criminal actors across borders.

Key findings

• Air Mediterranean consciously did business with the sanctioned Syrian drug kingpin Mahmoud Al-Dj and his network close to Assad’s regime.
• Air Mediterranean’s business partners include people wanted by the FBI and under the EU/USA sanctions list for weapons, drugs and mercenaries trafficking.
• Air Mediterranean board members are currently under "red notice" of Interpol.
• Greek, Italian and EU authorities failed to properly investigate (and ultimately stop) Air Mediterranean’s shady activities.

Image Rights: MIIR-Konstantina Maltepioti