Air TransportAir China is set to resume passenger flights between Beijing and Pyongyang later this month, restoring one of North Korea’s limited international air connections after a six-year interruption.
The Chinese flag carrier plans to restart the route on March 30, with an initial frequency of one flight per week. The service will link Beijing Capital International Airport with Pyongyang Sunan International Airport and is expected to be operated by Boeing 737 aircraft.
Flights between the two capitals were suspended in early 2020 as countries imposed travel restrictions at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to that, Air China operated the route multiple times per week.
The Beijing–Pyongyang corridor is one of the most relevant international links for North Korea, connecting the country with its main economic partner. China accounts for the majority of North Korea’s foreign trade and remains a key source of economic support.
North Korea has only recently begun to reopen cross-border transport after maintaining strict pandemic-related restrictions for several years. Rail services between the two countries have also resumed in recent weeks, signaling a gradual normalization of travel flows.
Air Koryo, the country’s state-owned airline, currently operates limited international flights, including services to cities in China and Russia. The return of Air China adds capacity on a route that has historically played a central role in diplomatic and commercial exchanges.
The resumption of scheduled flights is seen as another step in the cautious reopening of North Korea’s borders and could support a gradual increase in travel and trade between the two countries.
