Category Archives: Air Koryo

Air Koryo flights appear halted after brief resumption

From Korea JoongAng Daily:

https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2023-09-06/national/northKorea/Air-Koryo-flights-appear-halted-after-brief-resumption/1863579

Air Koryo restores the Beijing route

Air Koryo has been allowed by China to restore the Pyongyang – Beijing route on August 22 after three years.

Go deeper from the BBC:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-66578171

A time machine journey back in time visit to North Korea to fly on the Soviet-era airliners of Air Koryo

Air Koryo (Pyongyang) is the state-run flag carrier of secretive North Korea.

The airline describes itself:

Air Koryo is the unique national flag carrier in DPR Korea. Company was established in 1955. The name was “Chosonminhang” at that time. The company was renamed as Air Koryo in 1992 by a decision of the Government. Today, the company makes direct flights to Beijing, Vladivostok and Shenyang.

Above Photo: Air Koryo. On Facebook Air Koryo touts its newest product, the pictured business class on Air Koryo’s Antonov An-148-100B (P-671). The An-148-100B aircraft which operates on selected regional international services, features 8 business class seats.

Above Photo. Sam Chui/AirlinersGallery.com. Air Koryo has slightly updated its livery with a new waving flag logo on the tail. Antonov A-24B P-537 displays the revised look.

Despite being secretive, North Korea does open its curtain for aviation enthusiast trips to view its Soviet-era fleet. Writer Aram Pan joined one these trips and reported back on his trip for the Daily Mail in Australia. Sarah Dean has written the story.

Take a trip back in time: CLICK HERE

Top Copyright Photo: Richard Vandervord/AirlinersGallery.com. Richard also travelled to North Korea. Air Koryo’s classic turboprop Ilyushin Il-18D P-835 (msn 188011205) awaits its next trip at Samjiyon, North Korea.

Air Koryo aircraft photo gallery:

Air Koryo Aircraft Slide Show:

Videos: By Sam Chui.

Air Koryo wants to expand to Southeast Asia and Europe

Air Koryo (Pyongyang) has been limited in its operations mainly due to international sanctions against North Korea. According to this report by the Telegraph quoting the North Korean state media, Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), state-run Air Koryo wants to expand to Southeast Asia and Europe. In addition, approved travel to North Korea will now be offered year round.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

What is like to travel to North Korea on Air Koryo? Read this report by CNN: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Richard Vandervord/AirlinersGallery.com. Any photo taken in North Korea is a rare photo. Tourists (and photographers) are now able to visit this rarely-seen country. This venerable Tupolev Tu-134B-3 P-814 (msn 66368) is still operating in the country. P-814 is seen on the ramp at Sondok, North Korea. The older Russian-built aircraft, namely the Ilyushin Il-62s and Tupolev Tu-134s and Tu-154s have reportedly been banned from flying over neighboring Chinese airspace. If Air Koryo wants to expand it will have to upgrade its aging fleet. The airline has recently added newer Antonov An-148s and Tupolev Tu-204s.

Air Koryo (take a look at the fleet behind the curtain):

Air Koryo cancels the new route to Kuwait City

Air Koryo Tupolev Tu-204-300 P-632 (msn 1450742364012) SIN (Michael B. Ing), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Air Koryo (Pyongyang) has cancelled the Pyongyang-Kuwait City route according to Airline Route. The flag carrier of North Korea will continue to fly to Bangkok, Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, Moscow, Shenyang and Vladivostok.

North Korea wants to open up a new air route to Malaysia

Air Koryo Tupolev Tu-204-300 P-632 (msn 1450742364012) SIN (Michael B. Ing), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Air Koryo (Pyongyang) has increased the number of flights on the Pyongyang-Shenyang (China) route.

In other news, North Korea wants to open new air routes to Malaysia.

A new route for charter flights between Pyongyang and Kuala Lumpur will commence this Friday only for Malaysian tourists, according to the North’s official Korean Central News Agency. It is not clear if Air Koryo will operate the charter flights.

Read the full story from Channelnewsasia.com: CLICK HERE