Latest news with #AirKoryo
Russia Today
2 days ago
- Business
- Russia Today
First direct flight from Moscow lands in Pyongyang (VIDEOS)
The first direct flight between Moscow and Pyongyang in Russia's post-Soviet history successfully landed in North Korea on Monday morning. Previously, the only direct air route between Russia and North Korea connected Pyongyang with Vladivostok, a major city in Russia's Far East, and was operated by North Korean state carrier Air Koryo. The reintroduction of regular service between the capitals – interrupted for more than 75 years – signals strengthening relations, officials said. Russian airline Nordwind received authorization earlier this month to operate the new route, with plans to offer one round-trip flight per month. The inaugural flight, operated by a Boeing 777-200ER, carried Russian officials alongside regular passengers. This flight 'marks a milestone in the modern relationship between our nations,' said Russian Natural Resources and Environment Minister Aleksandr Kozlov, who co-chairs a bilateral intergovernmental commission on cooperation with North Korea. Kozlov was greeted at Pyongyang International Airport by North Korean Foreign Economic Affairs Minister Yun Jong-ho, his counterpart on the commission. Yun called the new air service a step toward 'the prosperity of the peoples of our two nations.' Media reports indicated that most passengers aboard the flight were North Korean nationals returning home. One traveler told Ruptly video agency she hoped stronger ties with Russia would help promote tourism in North Korea. The flight covers a distance of more than 6,400km and takes approximately eight hours. Tickets for the inaugural trip were priced starting at roughly $570. Last year, Moscow and Pyongyang signed a comprehensive bilateral cooperation agreement, outlining plans to deepen their relationship. The treaty included mutual defense provisions, which provided the legal framework for deployment of North Korean forces to assist Russian troops in repelling a Ukrainian incursion in Russia's Kursk Region.
Kyodo News
2 days ago
- Business
- Kyodo News
Direct flights between Moscow, Pyongyang start amid deepening ties
MOSCOW - Direct passenger flights connecting Moscow and Pyongyang commenced Sunday in the latest sign of deepening bilateral ties in the wake of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine that started in 2022. The direct flights, scheduled once a month, are operated by Russian Nordwind Airlines. The first flight took off from Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport for Pyongyang on Sunday and the return flight is scheduled for Tuesday. The regular flights between the countries' capitals are the first since the mid-1990s, Reuters said, citing Russian aviation blogs. According to Russian media, the airline is operating a Boeing 777-200ER aircraft with a capacity of 440 passengers on the route. It began selling tickets from Moscow to Pyongyang on July 18, with prices starting at 44,700 rubles ($565). Many of the passengers who checked in were reportedly North Koreans. North Korean state carrier Air Koryo operates direct flights between Vladivostok in the Russian Far East and Pyongyang three times a week. Russia and North Korea have been stepping up cooperation amid the war in Ukraine, with the two countries' leaders signing a comprehensive partnership treaty in June last year and North Korea sending troops in support of Russia's military operations.
Bloomberg
3 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Russia Starts First Direct Flights From Moscow to Pyongyang
Russia's first direct flight from Moscow to Pyongyang, North Korea, took off Sunday evening, in a sign of deepening ties with the isolated Communist state. The flights, operated by Russian airline Nordwind, will operate once a month, the Interfax news service said. North Korea's Air Koryo already operates air services between Pyongyang and Russia's Pacific port city of Vladivostok.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Russia starts first Moscow-Pyongyang passenger flights in decades
(Reuters) -Russia will launch direct passenger flights from Moscow to North Korea's capital Pyongyang on Sunday, Russian authorities said, as the two former communist bloc allies move to improve ties following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The start of regular flights between the capitals for the first time since the mid-1990s, according to Russian aviation blogs, follows the resumption of Moscow-Pyongyang passenger rail service, a 10-day journey, in June. The first flight will leave Sheremetyevo airport at 7 p.m. (1600 GMT), according to the airport's timetable. The eight-hour flight will be operated by a Boeing 777-200ER with a capacity of 440 passengers, Russia's RIA state news agency said on Sunday. It said tickets started at 44,700 roubles ($563), and the first flight quickly sold out. Russia's civil aviation authority Rosaviatsia has granted Nordwind Airlines permission to operate flights between Moscow and Pyongyang twice a week. The transport ministry said in a statement that for now flights would operate once a month, "to help build stable demand". The only direct air route between Russia and North Korea has been flights by North Korean carrier Air Koryo to Vladivostok in Russia's Far East three times a week. Ukraine and its Western allies have accused North Korea of supplying Russia with artillery and ballistic missiles. Moscow and Pyongyang deny the allegations. Pyongyang has deployed more than 10,000 troops and arms to Russia to back Moscow's military campaign in Ukraine. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said this month his country was ready to "unconditionally support" Moscow's efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. ($1 = 79.4000 roubles) Sign in to access your portfolio
The Independent
3 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Russia launches first direct passenger flights connecting Moscow and Pyongyang in decades
Russia will launch direct passenger flights from Moscow to North Korea 's capital Pyongyang on Sunday, Russian authorities said, as the two former communist bloc allies move to improve ties following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The start of regular flights between the capitals for the first time since the mid-1990s, according to Russian aviation blogs, follows the resumption of Moscow-Pyongyang passenger rail service, a 10-day journey, in June. The first flight will leave Sheremetyevo airport at 7pm (1600 GMT), according to the airport's timetable. The eight-hour flight will be operated by a Boeing 777-200ER with a capacity of 440 passengers, Russia's RIA state news agency said on Sunday. It said tickets started at 44,700 roubles ($563), and the first flight quickly sold out. Russia's civil aviation authority Rosaviatsia has granted Nordwind Airlines permission to operate flights between Moscow and Pyongyang twice a week. The transport ministry said in a statement that for now flights would operate once a month, "to help build stable demand". The only direct air route between Russia and North Korea has been flights by North Korean carrier Air Koryo to Vladivostok in Russia's Far East three times a week. Ukraine and its Western allies have accused North Korea of supplying Russia with artillery and ballistic missiles. Moscow and Pyongyang deny the allegations. Pyongyang has deployed more than 10,000 troops and arms to Russia to back Moscow's military campaign in Ukraine. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said this month his country was ready to "unconditionally support" Moscow's efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.
