Tag Archives: Il-18

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:

Air Koryo Aircraft Slide Show:

http://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-Asia-1/Airlines-Asia1-AE/Air-Koryo

Video: By Sam Chui. Flying on the rare Ilyushin Il-18 ion North Korea:

Video: By Sam Chui. Sam records his trip to North Korea while flying on the Ilyushin Il-18 and the Antonov An-148:

Ilyushin Il-18V DM-STA is restored in Deutsche Lufthansa (GDR) 1955 markings

Deutsche Lufthansa (GDR) Ilyushin Il-18V DM-STA (msn 180001905) LEJ (restoration), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Leipzig/Halle will soon display this restored Ilyushin Il-18V registered DM-STA (msn 180001905) at the entrance to the airport. The classic turboprop airliner has been restored in the 1955 colors of Deutsche Luthansa (GDR) and was rolled out of the paint shop in September 2009. Deutsche Lufthansa (GDR) (East Berlin) was founded in 1955 in East Germany as eastern version of Deutsche Lufthansa (West Germany). However a court case in Berne, Switzerland in 1963 awarded the Lufthansa trademark to the West German company. Interflug (a shortened form of Internationaler Flug or “international flight”) was founded in 1958 as the second East German airline to operate charter flights. Therefore in 1963 when the Deutsche Lufthansa name was lost, Interflug was chosen as the new brand for East Germany’s “new” state airline operating international routes. Interflug was liquidated in March 1991 following the reunification of Germany. DM-STA poses for the camera at Leipzig/Halle. The airliner is owned by the Verkehrsmuseum Dresden as a technical memorial and should be placed outside the ramp area somewere in front of the terminal during next year.

MALEV returns to St. Petersburg

Please click on photo for full view, information on this historic photo and other photos.

MALEV Hungarian Airlines (Budapest) returned to St. Petersburg (Pulkovo) yesterday with twice-weekly flights. The company launched its first service between the two cities in 1970 and had operated on the route for 30 years until service was suspended.