Russia has launched a new regular air route between Moscow and Pyongyang, signalling closer ties between the two nations. The inaugural flight, operated by Russian airline Nordwind, took off from Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport on Sunday carrying over 400 passengers. According to Russia’s Transport Ministry, a flight will run monthly to meet growing demand.
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This new service follows recent diplomatic engagement, including Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s visit to North Korea earlier this month. During his trip, Lavrov toured the Wonsan-Kalma beach resort and pledged to promote it as a destination for Russian tourists. The resort, capable of hosting up to 20,000 visitors, is central to Kim Jong Un’s strategy to revive North Korea’s ailing economy through tourism. While North Korea has begun loosening its pandemic-related restrictions, it has yet to confirm the full return of international tourism.
Flights between Pyongyang and Russia’s eastern port city of Vladivostok had already resumed in 2023, following a pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The new route from Moscow extends North Korea’s access to international travel, albeit within a limited and highly controlled framework.
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In recent years, Russia and North Korea have deepened their cooperation, including increased military collaboration. Reports suggest Pyongyang has supplied both weapons and troops in support of Russia’s actions in Ukraine, further highlighting the growing alliance between the two nations.
