North Korea's Airports: Do They Exist?

North Korea is an extremely secretive country, and it is difficult to ascertain the number and condition of its airports with certainty. However, sources suggest that North Korea has several airports, including Pyongyang Sunan International Airport, which is the main international airport serving Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea. Other airports in North Korea include Orang (Chongjin) Airport and Wonsan Kalma International Airport. North Korea's state carrier, Air Koryo, joined the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in the late 1990s, and the country has proclaimed a program to upgrade several airports to international standards.

North Korea has 78 usable airfields

In addition to Pyongyang Sunan International Airport, there are several other notable airports in North Korea, including Orang (Chongjin) Airport and Wonsan Kalma International Airport. However, commercial aviation in North Korea is largely non-existent outside of Pyongyang Sunan International Airport, and most airfields appear to be for military use. The Korean People's Army Air Force (KPAF) is the unified military aviation force of North Korea and is estimated to possess around 570 combat aircraft, 200 helicopters, and a few transporters, mostly of Soviet and Chinese origin.

North Korea's secrecy makes it challenging to gather detailed information about all 78 usable airfields. However, some of the known airfields include the Kyongsong-Chuul Airport, T'aet'an-pihaengjang Airport, Hoeyang Southeast Airport, and Ichon Northeast Airport. These airfields vary in terms of surface type and size, with some having hard surfaces and others being classified as non-hard surface airports.

The development and expansion of North Korea's airfields and aviation infrastructure have been a subject of interest. In the late 1990s, North Korea joined the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and the country has proclaimed a program to upgrade several airports to international standards. Despite the challenges posed by the country's secrecy, the existence of 78 usable airfields in North Korea highlights the country's focus on aviation and transportation infrastructure.

Pyongyang (FNJ) / Sunan International Airport is the main airport

North Korea has up to 78 usable airfields, but the state's secrecy makes it difficult to know their exact number and condition. The main airport, however, is Pyongyang (FNJ) / Sunan International Airport, located in the Sunan District of Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea.

Pyongyang International Airport has two passenger terminals. Terminal 1, which opened in January 2016, handles domestic flights only. Terminal 2, the international terminal, was inaugurated on 1 July 2015 and has jet bridges and at least 12 check-in counters. Terminal 2 also has various amenities, including a duty-free store, coffee bar, newsstand, and Internet room, as well as a business-class lounge with a buffet on the upper level and an outdoor viewing area.

The airport has two functioning runways. The first, designated 17/35, measures 3,425 by 60 metres (11,237 ft x 197 ft). The second, designated 01/19, measures 4,000 by 60 metres (13,120 ft x 200 ft). In September 2016, it was reported that a maintenance facility had been built about 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) from runway 17/35. This facility includes aircraft hangars and apartment buildings for high-ranking officials and Air Koryo employees.

Pyongyang International Airport is about 25 kilometres (16 mi) from the city, or about a 30-minute drive by the Pyongyang-Hicheon Expressway. Sunan Station, on the Pyongui Line of the Korean State Railway, is also just 800 meters (2,600 ft) from the airport terminal building.

Commercial aviation in North Korea is practically non-existent

North Korea is reported to have up to 78 usable airfields, but the state's secrecy makes the number and condition of these airfields difficult to confirm. The country's only airline, Air Koryo, is state-owned and controlled by the North Korean Air Force. It is headquartered in Sunan-guyok, Pyongyang, and operates from Pyongyang's Sunan International Airport.

Air Koryo's history dates back to the founding of the Soviet-North Korean Airline (SOKAO) in 1950. After the Korean War, in 1955, the airline was reorganised as Korean Airways and began operating domestic and international routes to other communist Eastern Bloc states. The airline was later rebranded as Air Koryo in 1993.

Due to safety and maintenance concerns, Air Koryo was banned from operating in the European Union between 2006 and 2020. However, the airline was allowed to resume operations to the EU with their newly acquired Tu-204 aircraft, which met the necessary international standards.

In recent years, Air Koryo has also branched out into commercial sectors beyond aviation, providing goods and services such as petrol stations, taxis, tobacco, and soft drinks. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the airline, with regular operations suspended and no scheduled international flights between 2020 and 2023.

Air Koryo is the only North Korean airline

North Korea is a country in East Asia, and while the secretive nature of the state makes it difficult to ascertain the exact number, it is estimated to have up to 78 usable airfields. However, commercial aviation in North Korea is almost non-existent, except for the operations of its state-owned airline, Air Koryo, which is the only North Korean airline.

Air Koryo, the country's flag carrier, is controlled by the North Korean Air Force and headquartered in Sunan-guyok, Pyongyang. It operates a mix of domestic and international routes, with regular flights to Beijing, Shenyang, and Vladivostok departing from its hub at Pyongyang's Sunan International Airport. The airline has a long history, dating back to the early 1950s when it was established as a joint venture between the North Korean and Soviet governments.

Over the years, Air Koryo has undergone several reorganizations and name changes. It initially operated as Soviet–North Korean Airline (SOKAO), connecting Pyongyang with Vladivostok and select cities in the Manchuria region of China. Services were suspended during the Korean War and resumed in 1953 under the name Ukamps, with a reduced network. In 1955, the airline was rebranded as Korean Airways, and it began offering domestic flights within North Korea and international routes to other communist Eastern Bloc states in Asia and Europe.

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Korean Airways underwent another reorganization and adopted its current name, Air Koryo, in 1993. Due to safety concerns and the aging fleet of Soviet aircraft, Air Koryo faced a ban in the European Union from 2006 to 2020. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Air Koryo suspended regular operations, with no scheduled international flights between 2020 and 2023.

In addition to its aviation services, Air Koryo has also ventured into other commercial sectors, including ground transportation and consumer goods. The airline operates on behalf of the North Korean government, and one of its aircraft serves as North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un's personal plane.

Pyongyang International Airport has two functioning runways

North Korea has as many as 78 usable airfields, although the state's secrecy makes it difficult to know their exact number and condition. The largest airport in the country is Pyongyang International Airport, also known as Pyongyang Sunan International Airport, which is located in the Sunan District of Pyongyang, the nation's capital.

The airport was closed to international travel in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but reopened in 2023 with flights to Beijing and Vladivostok. It is the main international airport serving North Korea and has been renovated in recent years to accommodate international travellers. The airport has all the basic amenities one might need during a visit and is known for being spotless.

In 2014, Kim Jong-un, the first secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, provided field guidance for the construction of Terminal 2, stressing the importance of preserving the country's style, characteristic features, and national identity in its architecture. The terminal was completed in June 2015, with Kim Jong-un commending its neat and fashionable construction.

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