Nordwind Airlines, a Russian carrier, has kicked off direct, nonstop flights between Moscow and Pyongyang, North Korea. This new route spans nearly 4,000 miles (6,400 km) and takes about eight hours. Initially, the flights will run once a month to build demand, with plans to increase to twice a week. This move highlights Russia’s ongoing pivot away from Western alliances, focusing instead on strengthening ties with countries in the East. The geopolitical landscape, especially following Russia’s conflict with Ukraine, has significantly influenced the local aviation sector, pushing it to explore new horizons.
The inaugural flight, which took off on July 27, was operated by a 440-seat Boeing 777-200ER, Nordwind Airlines’ only active aircraft of this model. The plane, registered as RA-73340, is nearly 23 years old and flew mostly over Russian airspace, with a brief stint over China before reaching North Korea. This marks the first direct flight between Moscow and Pyongyang since the mid-1990s, although Air Koryo does offer flights from Pyongyang to Vladivostok three times a week. The new route is a significant step in bolstering political ties, especially as North Korean forces are now involved in the Ukraine conflict alongside Russia.
With Western sanctions and travel bans in place, Russian airlines are increasingly looking eastward for growth opportunities. The focus has shifted to domestic routes and expanding connections to Africa and Asia, partially compensating for the reduced capacity to the West. The Russian Transport Ministry has approved the expansion of this route to twice-weekly flights, underscoring the importance of these new connections. As Russia continues to navigate a complex geopolitical environment, its aviation industry is adapting by forging new paths and partnerships.
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Originally reported by Simple Flying Read More
