Russia Resumes Direct Flights Between Moscow and Pyongyang After Decades
Russia has resumed direct passenger flights between Moscow and Pyongyang for the first time since the mid-1990s, marking a new chapter in the relationship between the two countries. This move comes amid a complex geopolitical landscape following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and highlights the strengthening alliance between Russia and North Korea, two powers increasingly aligned in their opposition to the West.
Flight Details: Frequencies, Prices, and Operations
The inaugural flight took off this Sunday from Sheremetyevo Airport at 19:00 (Moscow time). With an estimated duration of eight hours, the route is being operated by a Boeing 777-200ER from Nordwind Airlines.
The Russian state agency RIA reported that tickets for the inaugural flight, priced starting at 44,700 rubles (approximately $563), sold out quickly.
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Although Rosaviatsia authorized Nordwind Airlines to operate the route twice a week, the Ministry of Transport clarified that, for now, the frequency will be monthly to “build stable demand.”
A New Link Following the Return of the Train
This air service follows the recent reinstatement of the passenger train between Moscow and Pyongyang, a journey that takes ten days and was relaunched in June. Both developments underscore the strategic interest of the two nations in revitalizing their connectivity after decades of stagnation.
Until now, the only direct air connection between Russia and North Korea was Air Koryo—the North Korean state airline—operating flights between Pyongyang and Vladivostok three times a week.
The return of regular flights between Moscow and Pyongyang symbolizes far more than a simple air link. It is a diplomatic gesture with global resonance, solidifying a strategic axis in the face of Western isolation.
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