Russia announced that it will begin direct passenger flights from Moscow to Pyongyang on Sunday, marking the first time in decades that the two capitals will be connected by air. Russian aviation officials say these flights, which resume after being discontinued in the mid-1990s, come as part of growing efforts to strengthen ties between Russia and North Korea in the wake of Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. This development follows the June resumption of Moscow-Pyongyang passenger rail service, a slow 10-day journey that had been halted for many years.
According to Sheremetyevo airport’s schedule, the inaugural flight is set to depart at 7 p.m. local time (1600 GMT) and will take roughly eight hours. The service will be handled by Nordwind Airlines using a Boeing 777-200ER, which has seating for up to 440 passengers. Tickets for the first flight were priced from 44,700 roubles (about $563) and quickly sold out. Russia’s aviation authority has authorized Nordwind to operate up to two flights weekly, though the transport ministry indicated they will initially fly once per month until passenger demand grows. Until now, the only direct air connection between the two countries was through North Korea’s Air Koryo, which operates three weekly flights to Vladivostok.
The renewed air link comes amid accusations from Ukraine and Western countries that North Korea has supplied Russia with artillery and ballistic missiles to support its war in Ukraine—claims that both governments deny. Nevertheless, Pyongyang has sent over 10,000 troops and arms to Russia as part of its backing, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un recently stated that his country stands ready to “unconditionally support” Moscow in its efforts to settle the conflict.