China steps up North Korea connections as regular Beijing-Pyongyang flights resume
Air China flight arrives in North Korea days after passenger train services between the neighbours were restored
The Boeing 737 operated by the national carrier departed from Beijing Capital International Airport about 8am and arrived at Pyongyang at 10.40am local time, flight data showed. The return flight left Pyongyang for Beijing around 12pm local time.
Air China resumes direct passenger flights to North Korea after 6-year pause
According to the Air China website, the route operates on Mondays on the same schedule.
Wang said the resumed flight route was a “landmark event” in the two countries’ aviation cooperation, according to a Chinese embassy statement.
“This will serve as a bridge to further strengthen friendly exchanges and people-to-people ties, and inject new momentum into bilateral travel, economic cooperation and cultural exchanges,” he was quoted as saying.
The statement said passenger representatives noted it was a “perfect flight experience” and expressed confidence that the resumed route would allow greater travel convenience.
Air China began operating flights between Beijing and Pyongyang in 2008, but services were suspended in January 2020 following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.