Moscow-Pyongyang Direct Passenger Flight Operates for the First Time on the 27th.. 8-hour Flight

[Financial News] The direct flight between Pyongyang and Moscow is starting for the first time. Russian airline Nordwind will operate twice a week, and the direct flight distance is about 8 hours.
According to the Russian Ministry of Transport, the direct passenger flight connecting Moscow, Russia, and Pyongyang, North Korea, will start operating on the 27th (local time).
The Russian Ministry of Transport explained that Nordwind Airlines will operate this route from the 27th of this month, stating, "The capitals of Russia and North Korea are connected directly for the first time." It also added that the flight takes about 8 hours.
Previously, Nordwind requested approval for a twice-weekly direct Moscow-Pyongyang route from the Russian Aviation Authority last month, and the Russian Aviation Authority granted this approval on the 9th.
Currently, only flights between Vladivostok in Primorsky Krai, Russia, and Pyongyang, North Korea, are operating.
Since signing a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty last year, Russia and North Korea have been strengthening cooperation in the transportation sector.
The Moscow-Pyongyang and Khabarovsk-Pyongyang direct train services resumed last month after about 5 years. The route, which was suspended from February 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resumed operations when a train departing from Pyongyang arrived in Moscow on the 25th. The Khabarovsk-Pyongyang section also resumed operations. The train that resumed this time operated without passengers, with only crew members on board, and is expected to gradually expand to normal operations.
Additionally, on April 30th, the Tumen River automobile bridge connecting Russia and North Korea by land was started. The completion target for this bridge is the end of next year.
The restoration of maritime routes between North Korea and Russia is also accelerating. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who visited Wonsan, North Korea, from the 11th to the 13th, announced plans to restore maritime routes between Russia and North Korea. The possibility of restoring the existing Rajin-Vladivostok route and reviving past maritime routes is being considered. It is known that maritime routes connected to North Korean east coast port cities such as Wonsan, Chongjin, and Rajin were also discussed.
 


rainman@fnnews.com Kim Kyung-soo Reporter