Airlines flying to North Korea
In the years since North Korea has opened its doors to the outside world, several airlines have been eager to get in on the action, taking passengers to the secretive nation,where visitors are both captivated and appalled by what they find.From flag carriers to budget airlines, who are the airlines taking flyers to North Korea?
Flag Carriers
Most existing airlines which travel to North Korea are the nation’s own flag carriers, such as Air Koryo and Air China. Air Koryo, founded in 1950 and subsidised by the government, is North Korea’s only regulated airline, flying mainly domestic routes. It also operates international services to cities in China and Russia and to countries further afield such as Thailand and Kuwait. Air Koryo also has a handful of leased Soviet-era planes and modernizes its fleet with Airbus A320s and Tupolev TU-204s.
Air China, on the other hand, are China’s state-owned flag carrier and one of the oldest airlines in the world. With hubs in Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai, Air China offers limited flights to North Korea, departing from Beijing and Shanghai.
Independents
The only independent airlines known to have operated flights to and from North Korea are Air Istanbul, East Pacific Air and Air Pink. Air Istanbul, a Turkish leisure carrier, briefly ran flights from Istanbul to Pyongyang from 2003 until 2006. They ceased their operation because of the lack of travellers from the North Korean side.
East Pacific Air, a now defunct Taiwanese carrier, operated charters from Taipei to Pyongyang from 2001 until 2002, when local political issues forced the airline to can their operation. Finally, Air Pink, a low cost Hungarian leisure carrier, departed from Budapest to Pyongyang from 2008 until 2009.
Costs
The cost of flights to North Korea vary depending on the route, the carrier and the economy class. Air Koryo, costing anywhere between $500 to $650, is the cheapest out of the three. Air China follows, charging around $700 to $800, while Air Istanbul and Air Pink’s flights likely had cost prices ranging between $900 to $1500.
It is worth noting, however, that flights to North Korea do not come with the guarantee of success. There have been multiple reports of seemingly confirmed flights sometimes being cancelled without explanation or notice, leaving customers without a refund. Given the secretive nature of the nation, potential travellers are advised to carefully plan their trip and research the airline before booking.
Precautions
Travellers should be aware that North Korea is a highly censored and restricted country. According to the North Korean law, tourists should be accompanied by a government tour guide and approved itineraries at all times. Use of GPS devices and internet access is strictly prohibited, whilst cameras and videos are allowed under certain circumstances. Furthermore, bringing anything that is deemed to be critical of the ruling party is highly prohibited and can lead to severe consequences.
Given its political situation, tourists must always be aware of the sensitivity of the transportation system and the situation within the country itself.It might be the adventure of a lifetime, although it would be the wisest to be informed and aware of the risks associated with the trip.
Advice & analysis
Due to the secretive and volatile regime of the country, it may be hard to find carriers that serve this route. Therefore, it might be necessary for travellers to do their research and double check the reliability of the airline before booking any flights. Taking the necessary precautions and being informed about the regulations and general situation within North Korea could make the trip smoother, safer and more enjoyable.
In any case, North Korea still remains a restricted nation with difficult access and visitors should bear in mind that, no matter which airline they choose,some risks attached to travelling there remain. By doing one’s due diligence, however, these risks can be minimized, so that tourists can benefit from a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Charter flights
Charter flights are a more limited option for those looking to travel to North Korea, since they tend to be more expensive and are often travel-agency-specific. Nonetheless, they also offer the possibility of visiting any city at any time, if the government ensures its approval.
Chinese carriers Air China and Hainan Airlines have occasionally operated charter flights to Pyongyang in the past, along with rare charters performed by Air Koryo. Nevertheless, flights change by the day, meaning that those interested should carefully research which airlines offer charters to North Korea before embarking on their trip.
Conclusion
North Korea remains a controversial nation, nevertheless it seems that more and more airlines are willing to fly to it. While Air Koryo is the main flag carrier for North Koreans, Air China and other international carriers have started running international flights to the neighbouring country. While overall air tickets can be expensive, charter flights offer the possibility of travelling to any North Korean city without the need of taking the long-distance buses or trains.
