North Korea resumes international passenger flights after COVID hiatus
An Air Koryo passenger plane (back) arrives at Beijing Capital International Airport from Pyongyang on Aug. 22, 2023. (Kyodo) The Chinese Foreign Ministry said Monday it had approved the restart of passenger flights between China and North Korea to be operated by Air Koryo.
Two flights from Pyongyang are also expected to arrive in Vladivostok in Russia's Far East on Friday and on Aug. 28, Tass news agency has quoted a local airport official as saying.
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, North Korea shut its borders in early 2020. Last year, Pyongyang resumed cargo services by train and truck to and from China and Russia.
About 50 people believed to be North Korean athletes bound for Kazakhstan for an international taekwondo event arrived last Wednesday in China's border city of Dandong by bus, marking the first time that Pyongyang has sent a domestic sports team overseas since the borders closed.
An information board at Beijing Capital International Airport indicates that an Air Koryo flight from Pyongyang Sunan International Airport (3rd from top) was cancelled on Aug. 21, 2023. (Kyodo) Related coverage:
50 North Korean athletes arrive in China border city, first since COVID
North Korea preparing ICBM launch to protest trilateral summit: South Korea
Aug 22, 2023 | KYODO NEWS