China: Air China suspends flights to North Korea

Event

State-owned carrier Air China announced on Tuesday, November 21, that it is suspending all service between Beijing and Pyongyang effective immediately. Service between the two capitals was reportedly suspended due to lack of demand. It is unclear when flights between China and North Korea may resume.

Context

China previously announced a temporary suspension of services between Beijing and Pyongyang due to lack of demand in April; service was resumed in May but with a reduced frequency of flights. The North Korean state-owned carrier Air Koryo​ is currently the only airline with service to Pyongyang.

The service suspension comes as global tensions over North Korea's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs are mounting. The UN and the United States have increased pressure on North Korea to abandon its nuclear program through economic sanctions, which the Chinese government says it will enforce. North Korea relies on China for 80 percent of its foreign trade.

Advice

Potentially impacted travelers are advised to contact Air China directly for more information.