The first direct flight from Moscow to Pyongyang is scheduled to depart at 7 p.m. today from Sheremetyevo Airport in Khimki, about 29 km northwest of central Moscow, according to the airport's schedule.

A Nordwind Airlines plane taxis on the runway at Sheremetyevo Airport, outside Moscow, in 2021. Photo: Vecteezy

A Nordwind Airlines plane taxis on the runway at Sheremetyevo Airport, outside Moscow, in 2021. Photo: Vecteezy

Russian state media reported on 27/7 that the 8-hour flight will be operated by a Boeing 777-200ER with a capacity of 440 passengers. The lowest ticket price was 563 USD, and the first flight quickly sold out.

Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsia) has granted Nordwind Airlines permission to operate the route between Moscow and Pyongyang twice a week. However, the Russian Ministry of Transport stated that for now, flights will operate only once a month to "help build steady demand."

Previously, the only direct flights between Russia and North Korea were operated by Air Koryo, between Pyongyang and Vladivostok in Russia's Far East, three times a week.

According to Russian aviation blogs, this is the first time commercial flights between the two capitals have been launched since the 1990s. It follows the resumption of Moscow-Pyongyang passenger train services last month. This train journey takes up to 10 days.

Ukraine and its Western allies have accused North Korea of supplying artillery and ballistic missiles to Russia. Both Moscow and Pyongyang have denied these allegations.

North Korea has reportedly deployed more than 10,000 soldiers and weapons to support Russia's campaign in Ukraine. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un last month declared his readiness to provide "unconditional support" to Russia regarding the conflict in Ukraine.

Vu Hoang (Reuters)