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Direct flights from Moscow to North Korea have begun this week, amid a strengthening of ties between the two nations and a decline in options for Russian tourists travelling abroad.
The first Moscow-Pyongyang flight, operated by Russia’s Nordwind Airlines, took off on Sunday, according to the Sheremetyevo airport’s website, and landed in the North Korean capital about eight hours later.
The route will initially be serviced only once a month, Russia’s transport ministry said, with the first return flight from Pyongyang to Moscow taking place on Tuesday.
Nordwind Airlines – which used to carry Russians to holiday destinations in Europe before the EU imposed a ban on Russian flights – had tickets priced at 45,000 rubles ($570).
“This is a historical event, strengthening the ties between our nations,” Oleg, a Nordwind employee managing the flight who did not want to give his full name, told Agence France-Presse at the airport. He also declined to say how many passengers were onboard.
Russia and North Korea have been forging closer military bonds in recent years, with Pyongyang supplying troops and weapons for Russia’s military operations in Ukraine. They signed a mutual defence pact last year when the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, visited North Korea.
“For the first time in more than 70 years of diplomatic relations, we are launching direct flights between the capitals of our countries,” Russia’s deputy transport minister, Vladimir Poteshkin, was quoted as saying on the ministry’s Telegram account.
It comes as North Korea pushes its own tourism drive, as it slowly relaxes restrictions on overseas visitors introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic. Regular tourism is still effectively banned, although Russian tourists have been allowed to visit certain parts of the country on group tours, and foreign runners competed in a marathon in Pyongyang in April.
In June, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un launched a new beach resort located on the country’s east coast which authorities reportedly hope will attract 20,000 visitors a year.
Russian tourists are everywhere in Asia from what I’ve heard over the past decade
a decline in options for Russian tourists travelling abroad.
umm can’t they go literally anywhere except the EU? Like Egypt, Thailand etc.
This makes no sense; the kind of Russian tourist that wants to visit Paris or Milan wouldn’t visit a random beach resort in the DPRK
this is just subliminal messaging for people scrolling:
“RUSSIA! NORTH KOREA! THEY ARE BAD, RUSSIA IS NOW JUST AS OSTRACIZED AS NORTH KOREA”
Also, I’m glad North Korea is less ostracized now because of this
Turkey is very popular, still. A lot of fratboy turks have russian girlfriends or so the sterotype does.
russian tourists still travel to EU, just not using direct flights
tourism
once a month
so, uh, i guess you need to plan on being there for a month? this makes little sense
“yeah, ill be going on vacation to real korea for a month because 1 month is absolutely mandatory”
You might want to be seated when I tell you about what Europeans do
based Korea forcing people to stay an appropriate amount of time to leisurely enjoy and learn about the country
no more half measures walter
An outbound flight on the first morning of each month and a return flight on the second night is still a once-a-month arrangement.
It would have to be something like this for the pilots to keep their hours up.
I’d prefer people plan for at least a month rather then just be tourists.
Regular tourism is still effectively banned
Is this true? North Korea does get tourists; in fact there are some specialized travel agencies to help people visit.
Tourism reopened for a bit earlier this year, but this ended quite soon afterwards. Travel agencies still help people visit, but under different visas and only for specific occasions (such as the Pyongyang Marathon or the Autumn Trade Fair), rather than the usual touristic tours every month or so.
i think it means booking shit by yourself and going whenever you want. groups, international sports, whatever have special arrangements
Something about that picture in the article is extremely funny to me
clearly based on the angle of the plane and the color of the background, my calculations show that it’s en route to 40°42′42″N 74°00′45″W
dude, that water slide looks sick
lame. just take a train ride (the longest direct train journey in the world apparently)!
I found YouTube links in your comment. Here are links to the same videos on alternative frontends that protect your privacy:
Link 1:
Link 2:
Removed by mod
Did you know they have to get out of the train and push it?
I hear they have legal slavery for prisoners
I am unaware of what kind of food “gullag” is, but it does sound yumm.
And since the Koreans comrades have prepared the largest of its kind in the world, surely they can spare me some
Russians have been able to travel to the United States for a while now
The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts.
The wise become wise by doubting and correcting themselves.
