Russia grants approval for Nordwind airline to operate flights to North Korea
In a significant development, passenger rail service between Russia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has resumed as of June 2025, after a hiatus of over five years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Pyongyang-Moscow train now departs Pyongyang twice a month on the 3rd and 17th, covering over 10,000 kilometers - making it the longest passenger rail route in the world.
The resumed train service offers modernized carriages equipped with eco-friendly toilets, though initial runs were limited to crew members only. Tickets for the bi-monthly journeys, which take approximately eight days, are available for sale 60 days before departure, with the fare for the full route exceeding 44,000 rubles.
However, the status of flights between Russia and the DPRK remains uncertain. While no current data is available on resumed or ongoing flights, there have been recent announcements. Rosaviatsiya, the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency, has announced a new air route from Moscow to Pyongyang, operated by an unspecified airline.
This resumption of passenger rail service does not seem to have affected the decision to establish a new air route. In fact, the first train from Pyongyang, which arrived in Moscow on June 25 after a five-year absence, may have influenced this decision. Currently, North Korea's Air Koryo airline is the only airline operating flights from Russia to the DPRK.
The new air route will be the second air route between Russia and the DPRK, in addition to the existing one between Vladivostok and Pyongyang. It is expected to provide more travel options for those wishing to visit North Korea from Russia, as entry into the country will continue to be restricted to tourists traveling in groups.
Flights between Moscow and Pyongyang are expected to operate twice a week, under the supervision of Alexei Buevich, deputy head of Rosaviatsiya. It remains unclear whether the new air route will be operated by Air Koryo or another airline. For updates on this new air route and other news related to Russia and the DPRK, you can follow the Telegram channel @expert_mag.
In a notable incident, a train departed from Pyongyang on June 17, with one of its carriages reaching Ussuriysk and then being included in the "Russia" train that arrived in Khabarovsk on June 19. This marks a significant step forward in the re-establishment of cross-border travel between Russia and the DPRK.
The resumption of the Pyongyang-Moscow train journey offers travelers the opportunity to experience an eco-friendly, cross-continental lifestyle, with the longest passenger rail route in the world now available for bi-monthly journeys. Concurrently, discussions are underway for a new air route from Moscow to Pyongyang, which could provide another travel option for those seeking to explore the DPRK, expanding the boundaries of travel and cross-cultural exchange.
