China/North Korea: Air China resumes flights to North Korea

Event

The national airline Air China has announced that it would be resuming flights between Beijing and Pyongyang (North Korea) beginning on Wednesday, June 6. There will be three flights per week between the two capital cities. According to reports, the decision was made due to increased demand as well as to improve relations between the two countries.

Context

Air China suspended its Beijing-Pyongyang flights in November 2017 due to a lack of demand. The suspension also came amid global tensions over North Korea's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs. However, since the beginning of 2018 relations between North Korea and neighboring countries as well as the US appear to have entered in a period of (shaky) détente.

During the suspension, North Korean state-owned carrier Air Koryo was the only airline servicing Pyongyang.

Advice

Travelers are advised to contact Air China for more information.