Russia and North Korea to Launch First Direct Capital Flights

Key Takeaways

• Nordwind Airlines starts direct Moscow–Pyongyang flights July 27, 2025, with one to two weekly services.
• Flights support deeper Russia–North Korea ties, including military, labor, and economic cooperation.
• Travelers must follow visa rules; sanctions may affect payments and consular assistance.

Russia 🇷🇺 and North Korea 🇰🇵 will begin their first-ever direct flights between Moscow and Pyongyang on July 27, 2025. This new air route, operated by Nordwind Airlines, marks a major step in the growing relationship between the two countries. The flights are expected to change how people, goods, and even workers move between Russia and North Korea, with possible effects on tourism, trade, and international sanctions.

A New Era of Air Travel Between Russia and North Korea

Nordwind Airlines, a private Russian carrier, has received official approval from Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsiya) to operate the Moscow–Pyongyang route. The first flight is set to take off from Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International Airport and land at Pyongyang Sunan International Airport, with an expected flight time of about eight hours. Early reports suggest there will be at least one flight per month, but some sources, including the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR), say that twice-weekly flights have already been licensed. This means the number of flights could increase if there is enough demand.

Currently, the only other direct air link between the two countries is a twice-weekly Air Koryo flight between Pyongyang and Vladivostok. The new Moscow–Pyongyang flights will be the first direct connection between the capitals since Aeroflot suspended its service in 1992.

Why Are These Flights Starting Now?

The launch of these flights follows a series of high-level meetings and agreements between Russia 🇷🇺 and North Korea 🇰🇵. At the end of 2024, the two countries signed the DPRK-Russia Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This treaty aims to deepen military, economic, and transportation ties. In addition to the new flights, Russia and North Korea have started building a vehicle bridge over the Tumen River and launched a direct train service between Pyongyang and Moscow in June 2025.

Russian officials have made it clear that these new connections are part of a larger plan to strengthen cooperation. The Russian Ministry of Transport announced the launch and said the goal is to build stable demand for the route. Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, has also talked about expanding both air and rail links as part of broader cooperation.

Sergei Shoigu, the Russian Security Council Secretary, visited Pyongyang in June 2025 and pushed for the resumption of direct flights. He linked this move to broader labor and military cooperation. Alexander Kozlov, Russia’s Minister of Natural Resources, said in September 2024 that the number of flights would depend on how many people want to travel.

North Korean officials have not made detailed public statements about the flights, but they have shown strong support for closer ties with Russia.

What Does This Mean for Travelers?

For people who want to use the new flights, here’s what to expect:

• Booking: Tickets will be available through Nordwind Airlines and authorized travel agencies. Details about prices and how to book will be released closer to the first flight.
• Visa Requirements: Russian and North Korean citizens will need to follow the usual visa and entry rules. There are no signs of visa waivers or special deals as of July 2025. Travelers should check with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the North Korean Embassy for the latest information.
• Security and Sanctions: Because both countries are under international sanctions, travelers should be careful. Sanctions may affect how you pay for tickets, get insurance, or receive help from your country’s embassy.
• Flight Operations: All flights will leave from Moscow Sheremetyevo and arrive at Pyongyang Sunan International Airport. The journey will take about eight hours.

For official information about Russian visa requirements, travelers can visit the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Who Benefits from the New Flights?

The new direct flights are expected to help several groups:

• North Korean Workers: Russia 🇷🇺 has a demand for cheap, skilled labor, especially in construction and military support. The flights will make it easier for North Korean workers to travel to Russia, even though international sanctions limit this kind of labor movement.
• Tourists: Russian officials hope the flights will boost tourism, especially to North Korean destinations like the Wonsan-Kalma tourist zone. However, experts doubt that many Western or third-country tourists will use the flights, given North Korea’s strict border controls and international isolation.
• Traders and Businesspeople: The flights could help increase trade and business exchanges between the two countries, although sanctions will limit the scale of these activities.

Concerns About Sanctions and Security

Many experts and Western governments are worried that the new air route could help Russia 🇷🇺 and North Korea 🇰🇵 get around international sanctions. These sanctions target North Korea’s overseas labor and financial transactions, as well as Russia’s military and economic activities. The United Nations, United States 🇺🇸, South Korea, and Japan are all watching these developments closely. They may respond with new sanctions or diplomatic actions if they believe the flights are being used to break international rules.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the direct flights are seen as a symbol of the deepening alliance between Russia and North Korea. Both countries have needs that the other can help meet: Russia wants more workers and support for its economy, while North Korea needs hard currency and access to technology.

Background: A History of On-and-Off Connections

Direct flights between Moscow and Pyongyang are not new, but they have been rare. Aeroflot, Russia’s main airline, last operated this route in November 1992 before suspending it. The Pyongyang–Vladivostok route, run by Air Koryo, resumed in August 2023 after being stopped during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new flights are part of a larger trend of closer cooperation between Russia 🇷🇺 and North Korea 🇰🇵 since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The two countries have worked together on military, economic, and infrastructure projects, including the new vehicle bridge over the Tumen River and expanded train services.

What Could Happen Next?

The future of the Moscow–Pyongyang flights depends on several factors:

• Demand: If enough people want to travel, Nordwind Airlines may increase the number of flights beyond the initial schedule. There are also talks about opening new routes from other Russian cities, such as St. Petersburg, and expanding charter services.
• Infrastructure: The vehicle bridge over the Tumen River is expected to be finished by the second half of 2026. This, along with more rail and road links, will make it even easier to move people and goods between the two countries.
• International Response: The United Nations and other countries may introduce new sanctions or diplomatic measures if they believe the flights are being used to break international rules. This could affect how the flights operate or even lead to their suspension.

Practical Steps for Travelers

If you are thinking about using the new Moscow–Pyongyang flights, here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Check Eligibility: Make sure you have the right to travel to North Korea or Russia. Both countries have strict entry requirements.
2. Book Your Ticket: Once tickets are available, you can book through Nordwind Airlines or an authorized travel agency. Watch for official announcements about prices and schedules.
3. Apply for a Visa: Both Russian and North Korean citizens need visas to visit each other’s countries. Check the official websites for the latest requirements and forms.
4. Prepare for Sanctions: Be aware that international sanctions may affect your ability to pay for tickets, get travel insurance, or receive help from your embassy.
5. Arrive at the Airport: Flights will leave from Moscow Sheremetyevo and arrive at Pyongyang Sunan International Airport. Make sure you arrive early and have all your documents ready.

Official Contacts and Resources

• Nordwind Airlines: For flight schedules, booking, and customer service, visit the official Nordwind Airlines website.
• Russian Ministry of Transport: For updates on regulations and policies, check the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation.
• Rosaviatsiya (Federal Air Transport Agency): For licensing and aviation rules, see the Rosaviatsiya official portal.
• North Korean Embassy in Moscow: For visa and consular matters, contact the DPRK Embassy in Russia.

Multiple Perspectives: What Experts and Officials Say

• Russian Officials: They see the flights as a way to build stronger ties and help both countries’ economies. They hope the flights will lead to more tourism and trade.
• North Korean Authorities: While they have not made detailed public statements, they support closer cooperation with Russia.
• Western Governments and Experts: They worry that the flights could help Russia and North Korea avoid sanctions and carry out activities that are banned by international rules.
• Tourism Industry: Some Russian officials hope the flights will bring more tourists to North Korea, but experts doubt this will happen on a large scale because of North Korea’s strict controls and limited appeal to foreign visitors.

Implications for Affected Communities

• North Korean Workers: The flights could make it easier for North Korean workers to travel to Russia, even though this is restricted by international sanctions. This could help North Korea earn hard currency, but it also raises concerns about forced labor and human rights.
• Russian Employers: Companies in Russia may benefit from having more workers, especially in construction and other industries that need skilled labor.
• Travelers and Tourists: Russian and North Korean citizens will have a new way to visit each other’s countries. However, strict visa rules and sanctions will limit who can travel.
• International Community: The flights could make it harder to enforce sanctions and monitor what is happening between Russia and North Korea.

Looking Ahead: What to Watch For

• Increased Flights: If the first flights are popular, Nordwind Airlines may add more flights or open new routes.
• New Infrastructure: The completion of the Tumen River bridge and more train services will make it even easier to travel and trade.
• International Reactions: The United Nations, United States 🇺🇸, South Korea, and Japan will keep a close eye on these developments. They may respond with new sanctions or other actions if they believe the flights are being used to break international rules.
• Changes in Visa Policies: There could be changes to visa requirements or special arrangements in the future, depending on how the relationship between Russia and North Korea develops.

Conclusion: A Major Shift in Russia–North Korea Relations

The launch of direct flights between Moscow and Pyongyang is a major event in the relationship between Russia 🇷🇺 and North Korea 🇰🇵. It shows how the two countries are working more closely together, despite international pressure and sanctions. The flights will make it easier for people and goods to move between the two countries, but they also raise important questions about sanctions, security, and human rights.

Travelers who want to use the new flights should stay informed about visa requirements, sanctions, and official announcements. For the latest updates, always check with official sources like the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Nordwind Airlines.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the new flights are just one part of a larger pattern of growing cooperation between Russia and North Korea. With more infrastructure projects and possible new routes on the horizon, the connection between these two countries is likely to become even stronger in the years ahead.

Learn Today

Nordwind Airlines → Private Russian airline approved for the Moscow–Pyongyang route starting July 2025.
Rosaviatsiya → Federal Air Transport Agency of Russia responsible for aviation regulation and licensing.
DPRK-Russia Treaty → 2024 agreement strengthening military, economic, and transportation cooperation between Russia and North Korea.
Sanctions → International restrictions affecting trade, labor movement, and financial transactions between Russia and North Korea.
Sheremetyevo Airport → Moscow’s main international airport and departure point for Moscow–Pyongyang flights.

This Article in a Nutshell

Direct flights between Moscow and Pyongyang begin on July 27, 2025, boosting Russia–North Korea ties. Nordwind Airlines operates the route, easing labor mobility and trade despite sanctions. Travelers should comply with visa rules and prepare for possible sanctions impact. This new link marks a significant geopolitical shift in Northeast Asia.
— By VisaVerge.com