Moscow: Russia’s Nordwind Airlines has launched direct monthly Moscow-Pyongyang flights, marking a significant step in the deepening ties between the two nations.
The inaugural Moscow-to-Pyongyang flight, operated by Nordwind Airlines, landed in the North Korean capital approximately eight hours later. According to Russia’s transport ministry, the new air route will initially operate once a month, with the first return flight from Pyongyang scheduled.
The service is seen as a milestone in bilateral relations, with Russian Deputy Transport Minister Vladimir Poteshkin stating that, “For the first time in more than 70 years of diplomatic relations, we are launching direct flights between the capitals of our countries.”
The tickets for the route were priced at around 45,000 rubles ($570), as listed by Nordwind Airlines, a carrier that previously flew to European holiday destinations before the EU imposed a ban on Russian flights due to geopolitical tensions.
The new route reflects deepening relations between Moscow and Pyongyang, especially in the military sphere. North Korea has reportedly supported Russia’s military operations in Ukraine by supplying troops and weapons. The two nations also signed a mutual defence agreement last year during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to North Korea.
Beyond diplomacy and defence, North Korea is gradually reopening to international tourism after strict COVID-19 restrictions. While regular tourism remains largely prohibited, Russian travellers have been permitted limited access through organised group tours. In April, Pyongyang hosted a marathon with foreign participants, and in June, leader Kim Jong-un unveiled a new beach resort on the east coast, expected to attract up to 20,000 visitors annually.
As international travel options remain limited for Russian tourists due to ongoing sanctions, the new Moscow-Pyongyang air link may signal the start of closer people-to-people exchanges between the two isolated states.
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