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Recently, a notable aviation event took place, marking a significant milestone in relations between Russia and North Korea. A Nordwind Airlines Boeing 777-200ER, carrying 440 passengers, completed a round-trip journey between Moscow and Pyongyang, officially resuming direct flights between the two capitals after nearly three decades of interruption.
According to the TASS news agency, this historic flight is not just a simple transportation route but also carries profound symbolic significance. It ended a long period without direct commercial flights between the two capitals, opening a new chapter in bilateral relations. Nordwind also announced plans to maintain this route with a frequency of one flight per month, demonstrating the sustainability of this initiative.
Recently, the first commercial flight in nearly 30 years from Pyongyang, North Korea, landed safely at Sheremetyevo International Airport in Moscow, Russia.
The South Korean news agency Yonhap noted that the majority of passengers on the flight were North Korean citizens, alongside some Russians, including diplomats. This indicates significant travel demand from both sides, reflecting an increase in exchanges.
According to the TASS news agency, the Nordwind Boeing 777-200ER, carrying 440 passengers, completed a round-trip journey between Moscow and Pyongyang, marking the resumption of direct flights between the two capitals after a three-decade hiatus.
Matvey Krivosheev, a diplomat from the Russian Embassy in North Korea who had just returned to Moscow, shared his thoughts on the significance of this event with TASS. He emphasized that this was the first direct flight in nearly 30 years and expressed optimism about the future. "This route will certainly attract high demand, not only from Russian tourists but also from North Korean citizens," he stated, highlighting the potential for tourism development and people-to-people exchanges.
Nordwind has stated that it plans to operate this route with a frequency of one flight per month.
The restoration of this flight route is seen as the result of significant efforts from both sides, as noted by Mr. Krivosheev. This is a clear indication of the shared desire to promote and deepen the growing cooperative relationship between Russia and North Korea.
According to Yonhap News Agency (South Korea), the majority of passengers on this flight were North Korean citizens, alongside some Russians, including diplomats.
Previously, commercial flights between the two countries were disrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic and only resumed in August 2023. Currently, in addition to this new route, North Korea's Air Koryo also operates a flight connecting Pyongyang with Vladivostok in Russia's Far East, with a frequency of three flights per week.
Restoring the flight path is the result of significant efforts from both sides, and there is hope that this move will further boost the growing cooperative relationship between Russia and North Korea.
The resumption of direct flights between Moscow and Pyongyang not only shortens the geographical distance but also opens up new opportunities for economic, cultural, and diplomatic cooperation between the two countries amidst significant global changes.
