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Malay Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Russia launches first direct flights to N. Korea amid deepening wartime alliance
MOSCOW, July 28 — Russia on Sunday began direct commercial flights to North Korea, in a further sign of closer ties with its Asian ally helping its offensive in Ukraine. The first Moscow-Pyongyang flight, operated by Russia's Nordwind Airlines, took off at 1625 GMT, according to the Sheremetyevo airport's website. It is scheduled to land in the North Korean capital some eight hours later. But initially, the route will only be serviced once a month, Russia's transport ministry said. 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 (RM2,410). '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 AFP at the airport. He also declined to say how many passengers were on board. '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 by the ministry's Telegram account. Russia's state news agency TASS reported that the first return flight from Pyongyang to Moscow would take place on Tuesday. Russia and North Korea restored train links on June 17 after suspending them in 2020 during the Covid pandemic. The two countries 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 Russian President Vladimir Putin visited North Korea. North Korea confirmed for the first time in April that it had deployed a contingent of its soldiers to the frontline in Ukraine, alongside Russian troops. — AFP
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Europe and US doors shut, North Korean air hostesses welcome Russian guests after medical check as Moscow resumes Pyongyang flight
Russia has begun direct flights to North Korea as Moscow faces increasing travel restrictions from the West and Pyongyang seeks to revive its tourism industry post-pandemic. The first Moscow-to-Pyongyang flight, operated by Russia's Nordwind Airlines , took off on Sunday, July 27, from Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport and landed in the North Korean capital after an eight-hour journey. According to Russia's transport ministry, the route will operate once a month, with the return flight from Pyongyang to Moscow scheduled for Tuesday, July 29, as reported by CNN. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Data Science MCA Project Management MBA Design Thinking PGDM Leadership Management Digital Marketing Others Data Analytics Product Management Cybersecurity Operations Management Data Science Healthcare Degree Artificial Intelligence Finance CXO Public Policy healthcare Skills you'll gain: Strategic Data-Analysis, including Data Mining & Preparation Predictive Modeling & Advanced Clustering Techniques Machine Learning Concepts & Regression Analysis Cutting-edge applications of AI, like NLP & Generative AI Duration: 8 Months IIM Kozhikode Professional Certificate in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Starts on Jun 26, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Data Analysis & Interpretation Programming Proficiency Problem-Solving Skills Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence Duration: 24 Months Vellore Institute of Technology VIT MSc in Data Science Starts on Aug 14, 2024 Get Details Also Read: How China's Shaolin 'CEO monk' suffered a great fall? Under probe for 'improper relationship' with women, illegitimate kids, and embezzlement The airline, which previously flew Russian tourists to European holiday destinations before EU sanctions banned Russian flights, priced tickets at 45,000 rubles ($570). Live Events An employee from Nordwind, speaking to Agence France-Presse, called the flight a 'historical event' but declined to share passenger numbers. 'For the first time in more than 70 years of diplomatic relations, we are launching direct flights between the capitals of our countries,' said Russia's deputy transport minister, Vladimir Poteshkin, in a post on the ministry's Telegram channel. Russian arrival in North Korea The flight received a ceremonial welcome at Pyongyang Airport. The Russian delegation, led by Minister of Natural Resources Alexander Kozlov, who heads the Russian side of the intergovernmental commission on trade, economic, scientific, and technical cooperation between Russia and North Korea, was presented with flowers upon arrival. The CNN reported that around 400 passengers were on the flight. It was also noted that North Korean officials were checking temperatures with thermal guns. This suggests that their tourism sector, mostly backed by Chinese tourists, has not fully opened since the COVID-19 pandemic. And North Korea is gradually reopening to foreign visitors. Although general tourism remains limited, Pyongyang has recently allowed Russian group tours and hosted a marathon open to foreign athletes in April. Limited travel options for Russians Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, many Russian travelers have been barred from visiting destinations in Europe, Australia, and the United States. Sanctions and airspace bans have forced Russian airlines to look for alternative routes and destinations. As of 2025, Russian tourists' entry remains restricted. Most European countries, including the Baltic states, Poland, Finland, and Norway, have either banned or severely limited Russian tourists' entry. Schengen visas are harder to obtain, and even where they are granted, such as in France, Germany, or Italy, entry can be denied at land borders. The UK, US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand also maintain tight restrictions, with limited or delayed visa processing. Closer Moscow-Pyongyang ties In June, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un launched a new beach resort on the country's east coast. Authorities reportedly hope the resort will attract 20,000 visitors annually. The new air route is another milestone in the diplomatic and military cooperation between Russia and North Korea. The two countries signed a mutual defense pact last year during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Pyongyang. 'For the first time in more than 70 years of diplomatic relations, we are launching direct flights between the capitals of our countries,' said Russia's deputy transport minister, Vladimir Poteshkin, in a post on the ministry's Telegram channel.
Daily Tribune
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Russia starts direct flights to North Korea
Russia Russia yesterday began direct commercial flights to North Korea, in a further sign of closer ties with its Asian ally helping its offensive in Ukraine. The first Moscow-Pyongyang flight, operated by Russia's Nordwind Airlines, took off at 1625 GMT, according to the Sheremetyevo airport's website. It is scheduled to land in the North Korean capital some eight hours later. But initially, the route will only be serviced once a month, Russia's transport ministry said. 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 AFP at the airport. He also declined to say how many passengers were on board. "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 by the ministry's Telegram account. Russia's state news agency TASS reported that the first return flight from Pyongyang to Moscow would take place on Tuesday. Russia and North Korea restored train links on June 17 after suspending them in 2020 during the Covid pandemic. The two countries 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 Russian President Vladimir Putin visited North Korea. North Korea confirmed for the first time in April that it had deployed a contingent of its soldiers to the frontline in Ukraine, alongside Russian troops.
Business Insider
a day ago
- Business
- Business Insider
A Russian airline that used to ferry passengers to Europe is now flying to North Korea instead
Nordwind Airlines, a Russian carrier that previously serviced routes to Europe, is now flying its country's first direct flight from Moscow to Pyongyang in decades. The new eight-hour Boeing 777 flight, which launched on Sunday, comes as Russia and North Korea have rapidly strengthened ties amid the war in Ukraine. State media outlet TASS reported that Russian authorities gave Nordwind permission in early July to fly to North Korea, and that the airline is expected to run flights once a month to Pyongyang. Russia's transport ministry said in a Sunday statement that the new route was a first for Moscow in 77 years. "For the first time in more than 70 years of diplomatic relations, we are launching direct flights between the capitals of our countries," Vladimir Poteshkin, Russia's deputy transport minister, was quoted as saying in the statement. Nordwind previously operated dozens of international routes, including to Spain, Germany, the Maldives, Mexico, and Thailand. But almost all have been shut down as Russia's international relations broke down after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The European Union bans Russian flights, while many Russian airlines have also closed their international operations. Nordwind, which lists a fleet of Boeing and Airbus planes on its website, has been mostly operating domestic routes in the meantime. Its first flight to North Korea left Moscow at 7:25 p.m. on Sunday and arrived in Pyongyang at 3:30 a.m., according to the Moscow Sheremetyevo International Airport's flight tracker. A return flight is scheduled for Tuesday. TASS reported that both flights, with tickets costing about $550, were fully booked. While this is the first 21st-century flight between both capitals, Russians could already fly to North Korea before this. A North Korean airline, Air Koryo, operates flights from Pyongyang to Vladivostok, a Russian city on the Sea of Japan that's roughly 80 miles from North Korea. The newest flight is a further sign of rapport between Russia and North Korea, the latter of which has been supplying the Kremlin with troops, weapons, and ammunition to maintain its offensive pace in Ukraine. The partnership is sparking deep concern in the West and South Korea, which fear the arrangement is bolstering the technical expertise and resources of North Korea's military. Nordwind's cross-capital flight also comes as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has pushed hard to reopen his country to international tourism after the COVID-19 pandemic. In May, he unveiled a massive beachfront resort that appeared to feature hotels, apartments, shopping malls, and a water park.
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First Post
2 days ago
- Business
- First Post
Russia launches monthly direct flights to North Korea amid growing ties
Russia has launched direct commercial flights to North Korea, signalling a further strengthening of relations between Moscow and Pyongyang. The first Moscow-Pyongyang service, operated by Nordwind Airlines, departed Sheremetyevo airport on Sunday and is expected to run once a month initially. read more People wait outside Terminal C at the Sheremetyevo international airport outside Moscow, Russia. File image/ Reuters Russia inaugurated direct commercial flights to North Korea on Sunday, signalling deeper links with its Asian ally that will aid its push in Ukraine. According to the Sheremetyevo airport's website, the first Moscow-Pyongyang flight operated by Russia's Nordwind Airlines took off at 16:25 GMT. It is slated to arrive in the North Korean capital around eight hours later. However, Russia's transport ministry stated that the route will only be serviced once a month at first. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Tickets for Nordwind Airlines, which used to transport Russians to European vacation spots prior to the EU banning Russian flights, cost 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 AFP at the airport. More from World Ukrainian drone strikes force Kremlin to scale down Navy Day celebrations He also declined to say how many passengers were on board. '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 by the ministry's Telegram account. Russia's state news agency TASS reported that the first return flight from Pyongyang to Moscow would take place on Tuesday. Russia and North Korea restored train links on June 17 after suspending them in 2020 during the Covid pandemic. The two countries 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 Russian President Vladimir Putin visited North Korea. North Korea confirmed for the first time in April that it had deployed a contingent of its soldiers to the frontline in Ukraine, alongside Russian troops.
