Russian airliner to launch direct flights to Pyongyang

This grab from a 2017 photo by North Koreas Korean Association of Social Sciences shows the exterior of Pyongyang International Airport — Pyongyang Sunan International Airport is seen, in this file photo from North Korea's Korean Association of Social Sciences.

SEOUL, July 15 (AJP) - A direct flight linking Pyongyang and Moscow will be launched later this month, Russia's Transport Ministry said Monday.

According to the ministry, Russian carrier Nordwind Airlines will offer the first-ever direct passenger flights to Pyongyang twice a week starting in late July, connecting the two countries' capitals.

The non-stop route, which takes about eight hours, was approved last week by Russia's aviation authorities following a request from Nordwind in June.

The new flight comes as part of broader efforts to foster cooperation and exchanges amid closer ties between the two countries.

Until now, the only available air route has been a flight connecting Pyongyang to Vladivostok three times a week, which resumed last August after a halt during the coronavirus pandemic.

During a visit to North Korea's tourist zone of Wonsan in the eastern coastal area of Kangwon Province last week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also revealed plans to restore maritime routes, which would boost trade and tourism between the two countries.

Im Yoon-seo lyseo0330@ajupress.com